Well and as I take photos in all the cities I don’t like to have the same outfit on - looks like I only had one outfit, 😳😩but that’s my own personal preference and something I need to get over…
Once you accept the fact that it's okay to wear things more than once (or twice), you can pack a lot lighter. Colors and pieces that coordinate & interchange, and that attitude of "we'll never see these people again", make for very light packing. We're traveling to Italy in the fall for 12 days and my plan is a carry on and personal bag. Thank you for all your travel tips!
I'm traveling to Italy in the fall for 12 days as well. These are wonderful tips since I always over pack and this will be my first time trying to get everything into a carry-on.
I'm also traveling to Italy for 12 days next month (Sept) and I agree. We'll be in different cities, so we can wear the same outfits multiple times and it won't matter. And we need to launder clothes a lot less than we think. I won't necessarily launder jeans, pants, or dresses for the entire trip, and shirts only on an as-needed basis.
I find scarves are super versatile for trips AND the thin ones take up almost zero space in your bag. I bring two, a thicker warm one on the plane and a thin chic one (usually printed silk) that dresses up my pima cotton tshirt for a fancy dinner. This worked brilliantly on my Alaska cruise last month, as both scarves were in the same color "family" and went with all my clothes. ❤
Yes! I am a big fan of scarves on a daily basis. Definitely for travelling, too..., Like you said, they take up so little space in one's luggage, so versatile and can really elevate an outfit with so little effort. 😁
Yes, the scarf is a must for me too. I carry a thinner patterned one that dresses up an outfit, or provides a bit of additional coverage on my neck if it's chilly, and in the summer I keep one in my bag to drape over my bare shoulders for entering Cathedrals or if we find an AC restaurant. Of course it coordinates with all my outer pieces. We have travelled Europe spring, summer and fall and the scarf came in handy every trip. We have encountered rain in all 3 of those seasons as well and the waterproof shoes and rain jacket were musts! Weather changes so quickly and is so unpredictable anymore. I love your travel tips, Laurie!
Why doesn't anyone talk undies? The truth about older women who need pad protection with their underwear? Here's my tip: because i wear a thin pad everyday for bladder leaks, i can get 2 days of wear per pair of underpants; for a 10 day trip i need 5 pair of panties. Also, pack nylon undies vs cotton because they can be compressed smaller. I also never hear anyone talk how many bras. Comfortable and clean undergarments are as important as outerwear.
I have discovered Knix underwear instead of pads. No panty lines, real thin and the highest protection one will hold 10 oz. They were originally made for period protection. Then we baby boomers discovered them. And so packable and washable. I love, love, love them.
We pack old undies and throw them away. Have a couple pair of wash and dry over nite. Spent a month in Europe with just a carry on. To pack, I opened my carry on, put in everything I wanted……then spent the next 2 weeks taking stuff out til I could close it. We went to laundry mat, which were efficient and quick, about every 8 days.
I'm from Europe, to answer your question, the Breton (striped) top originated from France. Coco Chanel re-imagined the top as a chic piece of clothing.
I have one of those Breton tops I bought last time I was in France (last year) and was debating whether to take it on my trip to Europe next month. After seeing this video, I think I WILL take it!
Love Bretonnieres! I collect them as they go with almost everything! E. LeClerc's (huge grocery store in France) sells great ones in cotton and wool every summer. They also are a 4 season item. Love them!
One thing I always do is shop for and bring secondhand clothes on the trip. Even if I wear them once, and don’t really think they work or don’t love them, I just leave whatever it is behind in the hotel when I check out. It gives me more room for souvenirs 😂 and I haven’t wasted much money in the process of clothes shopping.
Hi Laurie. You mentioned you wouldn’t wear the navy and white turtleneck with black denim. Perhaps that’s just your preference but I wanted to add that navy and black is a very chic combination. It’s often attributed to Yves Saint Laurent and was a combo worn often by Jackie O and other stylish women. Love your videos!
I have that same fashion advice ingrained in my head. My brain tells me black or navy, but not both. It’s just like the white after Labor Day nonsense. 😊
@@KAT00035 That’s the way I was “trained” too. Google black and navy and there are lots of photos and articles about it. Being able to combine those colors really expands travel wardrobe options. Yay!
I always take a large, good quality pashmina (all year) and/or blanket scarf (winter). It’s a formal evening top layer, a normal winter scarf, a modest covering for visits to religious sites, something to prevent thigh peel in hot weather (shorts), an eye mask/neck pillow on the plane, a hair accessory (Grace Kelly style/for wash day), a Dick Whittington bag, a poolside sarong/lounger towel in a pinch, an extra warm layer on the bed, …
My essentials for travel: slipper socks w/tread in separate ziplock bag (to avoid being bare feet in airplanes, on hotel carpet or slippery wood or bathroom floors), a washcloth (not a given in non-US hotels, airbnbs, etc) for bathing, spills, etc. w plastic bag, 2 inflatable clothes hangars for laundry(shirts) & 1/2 dozen clothespins, 1 or 2 small bungee cords, collapsible jewelry tray for collecting car keys, room keys, jewelry, etc to prevent loss, packing checklist esp. for a longer stay, an extension cord (even for international). I also believe in rolling tops & sweaters for cubes.
Very interesting to hear your thought process through all of this. I will say for myself, a scarf is a definite travel essential. I tend to ping pong between feeling hot/cold numerous times (thanks menopausal hot flashes) and the scarf is the easiest thing to whip on and off according to my comfort zone. It can also double as a light blanket for napping. I usually either wear it as my travel outfit or roll it up tightly into my under seat bag.
Same! And in addition, we bring a light scarf for me and my 6 year old to share when it’s really sunny out. An easy way to get sun protection while on a hop on hop off bus or sitting at an outdoor cafe :)
And in Italy in summer, you can use the scarf to cover your shoulders if you want to go into a church. I have a super light Ovcio scarf that weighs nothing and takes very little space.
Same...I love having a versatile scarf with me. I have used it as a head covering and as a skirt to cover my knees to go into temples and churches and rolled up as a pillow. Thanks Laurie for all of your great tips!!
I didn’t have hot flashes, (not gloating) but I have heard from women who do that putting a few drops of Clary Sage essential oil on your wrists will eliminate hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. Best of luck!
Hi Laurie! I love your content. My travel hack involves scarves for colder weather. Instead of a bulky wool or heavy knit scarf, I pack rectangular silk scarves. They take up no space and keep my neck just as warm. Plus, I can pack more than one so that I don't look the same in all my pictures. They fit in my purse and my jacket pocket.
I think stripes are great because they are classic! They also seem to not show stains or smudges as much as a solid top would. I don't usually take a scarf with me, but scarves are my favorite souvenir to buy. I'll buy one or two and wear them throughout the trip, and after I'm home when I wear them they remind me of my travels! Thanks for all your helpful, fun videos.
Flying to England the day after Thanksgiving to see Christmas lights and markets. We always go carry on, pick a color combo where everything can be worn with everything. I could wear black and white stripes for days! Love it.
When we go to Europe it’s for a month, so 4 or 5 silk scarves are a must for me. Three merino wool tops and a different scarf easily gives me a weeklong wardrobe that I repeat four times! The silk scarves take almost no room in my bag and are warm yet not heavy.
@@elainemiles3676 Yes, a black one from Athleta, another black one I bought in Italy, and a red one from LLBean. I was fortunate to get the Athleta one at a second-hand store and the red one on clearance. I splurged a little when I got the one in Italy!
Tip 1: make sure in your capsule wardrobe you have one outfit/base layers that are good for warm weather and one outfit/layer that will make you warm. Even with checking the weather right before, things can change during your trip. Tip 2: Wear your lightest outfit/shoes on the plane to the destination and your heaviest & bulkiest outfit/shoes on the way home. This has a two-fold effect: it guarantees you have room for purchases on the way home and ensures you aren't packing too heavy to meet weight limits.
I have switched all of my travel clothes to ultra light weight period and bought them all on Amazon over these past years. Definately an investment. I lost all the jeans and T's and swetshirts and heavy hard to pack and wash fabrics like heavy knit anything. Starting with pants, I found some styles of hiking pants that are so neutral and clean cut, allot of people are buying these for their office/ business use and definitely for travel. They are stretch comfortable, not flimsy, depending the size you choose- not too clingy or tight, so i sixe one up, and made from highly breathable fabrics, so hold little order or stains, yet wind and water resistant and definitely quick dry. Mine have back and front pockets. Pick the right top and you would never know they are not dress pants. Mine are from Mountain Hardware but I tried a few China brands that seem similar. I just love Mountain Hardware as they do some magic trick to their fabrics. If it's cold I wear good quality butter soft yoga pants underneath and these double as my sleeping bottoms. Easy wash in the sink, or in my travel scrubby wash bag, quick dry, I bring two pairs and switch off. The brand I LOVE is Walifrey and its a China brand not expensive. They wash and dry perfect in the machine with all my clothes. No pilling at all and don't attract lint.They are 92 percent poly, 8 percent Elastane. So soft !!! I definitely layer my tops, starting always with a tank. I found these casual but classic sleeveless V neck tops that look like a chiffon material, super, super lite but definitely not see through, 95 percent polyester, 5 percent spandex, with a bit of pleat in the front, and a bit flowy, but not ridiculous, they hide everything....these can be used out hiking or walking and my definate go to for that as I get hot quickly, wear at the beach or definately out to dinner or whatever fancy place. They don't hold wrinkles much (because of the spandex), super lite for even the hottest days. Really a savior for me. I have tried a few brands now they all seem the same, last I bought are by 'Anyhold' and really it's all I ever where now I have six! So darn comfortable and they pack down to nothing. For a mid layer cashmere is definitely great as a dress down or up option, especially the button up styles, but some companies are also coming up with a mix of Alpaca as the big rush to create Merino wool everything found allot of us allergic and itchy, no matter the brand. So this definitely does the job and definitely better then microfleece when going towards the dress up side. I got a plain button up black one. Down side is they are very expensive but I have had some for over a decade still perfect. Actually one is over 20 years old now that I think about it....definitely got the 50 dollars I put in back then, lol. Now sadly they are double. I do pack two sun hoodies and I will say Mountain Hardwear 'Crater Lake' style is the best so far and has this amazing butter soft material in pretty solid colors or some prints. I love the forest green and the White Sprite. You don't want to take these off I promise. Not cheap but you are paying for amazing fabric I have not found even close to in China brands-yet. Great on transportation days, when you want sleeves or skin cover in grimey places, on the dusty road and definitely for me a must to walk around in sun. Easy wash, super quick dry and I trade off the two each night to use as sleeping tops. Especially if the AC gets too much in the car, or wherever place, or hotel. They keep the surface chill off your skin but do not make you hot. Plus they are UPF 50 and pack super tiny. I go with just a few solid colors now, definitely black, pretty dark forrest green almost a jade, lighter olive green or sage so popular now, cream or beige if it's hot, and I toss in dark burnt orange or deep true maroon to mix things up if I can find cute stuff, they blend well and so I look neutral, blend in especially in crowds and in nature to not stand out which is the worse thing for becoming a target. So all my clothes are mix and match really especially with the right scarf to pull them together, and look flattering in pictures which last a lifetime. I hate gray on women, such a dead color, but that is a good option as well for the 'greyman effect'. Bright pink, blue, yellow, big prints, pictures, shapes, lines, lettering definitely attracts attention. Horizontal stipes look horrible on curvy or heavier women IMHO so I avoid them like the plague but I get why they are like camouflage in a crowd as well and why they mess up video. If I want some color on my solid base, I accent again with scarves, some pretty short neck scarves, small super lite and a good item to protect my neck from sun exposure and skin damage omg what a mess that sun makes on the neck... or protect my neck cold which then makes me super cold. Some have nice embroidery and fancy edges, like a bohemian flair, and are so pretty. I bring a thin cotten/poly shawl or a small size 'sarong', about 3-1/2' by 4-1/2 ' . I try to find fabric with UPF protection, so just a piece of fabric which is brilliant for people who fluctuate in tempreture allot, hot one minute, chilly the next. These are obviously great for the beach especially as a cover, you can even make yourself a little 'hood if its windy', dampen if it's too hot -keeps my neck cool so my temp down and for me a savior when my back pack straps start digging into my shoulders. So for the beach I just bring like a brushed swade hand sized tiny micro pack towel, and matching face cloth or banana to dry off my body and face, in lieu of a big beach towel or big pack towel even. I just to wipe off and then toss on the shawl. I use this shawl as a thin blanket for my travel naps, or to roll up as a neck pillow...wear as a fancy shawl at dinner or the threatre. I got the idea from a young woman who travels Europe allot doing quite a bit of photography, and said she often needs a head cover to enter churches and temples and this was her solution and she realized she could use it for so much more. Definitely not inventing the wheel here, I mean this 'garment' has been used for tens of thousands of years, but we modern people forget just how useful this one item is. I always had one but never thought to look beyond the beach.... For shoes for me its simple. I got Solomon waterproof trail runners in black, and you really can't beat these for weight and comfort. I have a pair of 'Mary Jane' style walking shoes by Sctetcher in black that look dressy, so comfortable and black leather thin strap style pretty sandals that are super comfortable. I keep one pair of cheap black flip flops for public showers or the beach but mostly wear Water Sox now in the water with the thin rubber bottom also like a Mary Jane style and these double as my slippers. Great to where on long rides and I stuff these always in my tiny day pack. I layer my sox as well ranging from a few no show to thin liner ankle socks by Darn Tuff and their slightly thicker hiking ankle sock. If my feet get cold I can pair up on them either add the liner inside or the no show outside of the thicker sox, which all have a lifetime guarantee. They wear so well its crazy. I got a bunch on sale. If it's really cold for sleeping as we camp allot I have teeny packable down booties. So small. I think those are by Narure Hike. For jackets it's the same layering system. A tiny packable fully waterproof rain shell, (and thin pants) a down puffy, and a wind jacket called an KOR Airshell all by, yes Mountain Hardware. The Airshell is just amazing and packs micro small pocket sized. All this will fit in a 18L day pack easily with plenty of room to spare. For any and most all travel I keep these handy with me unless it's crazy hot, so nights above 70 I may leave the puffy behind... along with one pair of my awesome Yoga pants, my sun hoodie, ulra thin womans running shorts with inside liner and a lite spandex tank (I use these for swimming too), running gloves, and whatever layer sox I don't have on, plus spare usually spandex underware. I usually wear a spandex sports bra and those dry quickly if I take a plunge. This is my emergency change of clothes. More then not I use them especially during a whole day excursion.Sometimes I wear the running shorts under my hiking pants like underware if I know there may be a good chance I will go swimming. Or under the one sundress I bring. Easy on and off. And that is the last item, my sun dress. I chose black with cream accents, it's cotten, and similar to my sorong so it matches. I could easily wear this to a fancy event because of the style and embroidery or to the beach. Again those yoga pants look cute underneath if my legs get cold or there are bugs. This whole wardrobe all works in synchronicity really and what you really need to pack lite and comfortable. I can fit this in a 28L backpack clamsell suitcase. Mine is by CORE surf. What takes up more room is actually tech and batteries, my power bank and camera stuff so I wish I got the 40L. And what I would definitely recommend. Otherwise the bag is brilliant. Hope this helps.
Laurie, this was WONDERFUL! Hubby and I are doing 5 weeks in Europe and what you have here is exactly what I am already planning! 10 days is the benchmark that can be stretched out for the longer vacays. I also bring a couple turtleneck dickies (from long ago!) so I don't need a scarf or shirts with turtlenecks. And about stripes? Mais oui! Very VERY French! Love it! As usual, wonderful advice and tips. You've had so much experience that your videos are the best "go to" from a seasoned traveler to any wanna be successful vacationer! Thank you!!
Hi Laurie, I found your channel in 2019 when I was planning a trip to Italy. I’ve since travelled to Hawaii and I’m now planning a two week trip through Southern France/Northern Italy and I continuously find myself drawn back to your channel…I finally subscribed 😜Your common sense advice and no nonsense attitude are so valuable and I appreciate you. You have helped me to make my trips the best they can be ❤ Thank you so, so much!! 😊😊
At 63 years young I have found the style that works best for me when traveling internationally. While I appreciate the Breton, horizontal stripes do not look good on me as I have a very square shape. I’m also 5’10” tall and don’t want to stand out anymore in a crowd so I go with solids and use silk scarves to draw attention up toward my face. Scarves take up so little room and can change up the same outfit. My travel wardrobe is filled with a lot of merino wool and have a base of black and dark grey, adding in a couple shirts in a solid bright color along with various scarves. Darker pants also help with any dirt/grime you encounter on a day out touring or hiking. For Europe, it is always best to layer as it may be freezing outside but inside restaurants, museums, and historic sites it can be stifling hot! For our 2 week Christmas trip on the Rhine, I’m wearing a merino wool jacket topped by a car-coat length London Fog raincoat. I can check or carry my raincoat as needed. If we are traveling more than a week, we typically find a laundry and wash any items as needed so we always try to pack light. My travel tip is to purchase some quality base pieces in merino wool…it packs so well, is light, and can be worn multiple times without washing.
For trips to Europe I also pack single use rain ponchos. You can wear them several times and they are very small and hardly use any space in your luggage. But they won’t work for a event where you need to be dressed nice. But if it’s just for hiking and even touring a city, I think these single use plastic ponchos are great.
I actually love scarves and button up cardigans for multi-season trips. It helps me to work on fine tuning my temperature, so I don't freeze at one destination and boil at another, when I can just unwrap a scarf and open my cardigan when it gets warm. I went to Rome in March, and a thin silk-alpaca cardigan helped keep me warm en route to the airport in Finland (where it was least 10 degrees centigrade cooler than in Rome) and when I was about to overheat, I could undo the cardi and still keep comfortably warm.
I love a pashmina for seasons when it might get cool - but not really cold - in the evenings. It can go over your shoulders to dress up your outfit for dinner and take the chill off. Also doubles as a cozy blanket on the airplane.
black golf pants also work great as airport pants for men. - mine can be worn with or without a belt, so I can go through the airport without, and then add it if I want to wear a tucked in shirt. personally, I'm unfond of pullovers, I'll wear a T-shirt, but I've got stacks of sweatshirts I almost never wear because it's inconvenient putting them on and taking them off. addendum: and of course, my tip for men: wear a jacket with good pockets (especially if it has zippered pockets), and transfer everything from your pants pockets to your jacket pockets before security. then when you put the jacket in the bin, your pockets are clear. (And ladies, you should revolt against manufacturers who make clothing with useless pockets.)
on our european trips, we stay in airbnbs with washing machines. some have dryers, most just have a drying rack, but since we can do laundry, I don't have to pack many clothes. We also don't do any super fancy places. Staying in an airbnb usually means we are in a neighborhood, and not in a super touristy area. Local eateries tend to be more "every day". This also saves a lot of space. I have learned to not care that I am wearing one of two sweaters in every travel photo for the past eight years. We tend to travel in March for spring break, so it's generally cold enough to wear some type of jacket. unlike you, I prefer to have a jacket with a hood. A hat is just one more thing to lose, and I have curly hair, so a hood does less damage than a tight hat. Thanks for the video!!!!
Great tips, Laurie! I am still a fan of scarves for their overall versatility and ability to wear with multiple outfits. But I hear you on the thin sweater thing. You've inspired me to get more cashmere! I'm a big fan of merino wool too; I'm currently on a 3-month carry-on trip through Europe with a travel capsule wardrobe made of ONLY merino wool! A fun experiment.
I also enjoy your travel tips, Nora. Have added a couple merino wool tshirts to my capsule travel wardrobe. Currently in Munich airport about to embark on a three week Scandinavian tour.
@@TravelTipsbyLaurie Not particularly! First month in the Bulgarian mountains was a grab bag of temperatures, current location on Madeira is very hot (though apparently the heatwave is supposed to break this week); next month in Estonia will probably be cooler. The great thing about merino wool is that it's great in cool - and warm - temps!
I roll up my down jacket and use it as a neck pillow. I usually bring a 26.5 inches back length 650 fill down jacket during cold weather season to Europe. I would bring the 2 sleeves towards the zipper, then roll it along the back lengthwise. You can use rubber bands to secure both ends before enclosing it by using a pair of clean tube socks from both ends. I wear it around my neck and secure it with a safety pin. Save space and have a neck pillow.
I always bring a nice pashmina that coordinates with the clothes I am most likely to wear in the evening. They add glamour (worn around the neck) and warmth (worn around the shoulders) and are easy to pack.
Pilot wife here… we love to travel to Europe the beginning of December- loads are light but it’s always 🥶! I have learned to bring less sweaters, 2 coats, and a couple of scarves. Because when it’s cold in the photos all that’s seen is the coat and scarf- not the sweaters. Scarves are also a fun thing to buy on a trip. Love the striped tops for travel, they work great to bring in white into an outfit to coordinate with white sneakers. Thanks for all the tips!
@@TravelTipsbyLaurie our recent December Europe trips were to Paris and London- we have also been to Charleston and Vegas. All were great in early December - easy flights and the places we visited were not crowded.
Laurie Bounce makes a wrinkle releaser fabric refresher that is awesome. Unless you sweat heavily you can wear an outfit more than once. I also found a product called Soak you put a few squirts in a sink with some water with your clothes, swish around a little and then hang dry . You don’t even need to rinse it, works great for light weight clothes.
Yes. We always carry a small tube of hand detergent, and handwash t-shirts, underwear etc.. It doesn't take five minutes, at night, and they're usually dry in the morning. It halves the items you need, and is a game changer.
Hi Laurie! I’m going to the UK early next year and I haven’t been to Europe in a little over 20 years so I was getting a bit apprehensive about it, but after power watching your videos I’m feeling very well prepared and not worried at all. The biggest thing will be keeping track of the weather before I go! Your Husbands pilot tips really took a load of my mind too! Thank you so much!
Yay! I wish I would've packed more t-shirts because even though it was 40 degrees outside, my hotel room had very little air conditioning and was so warm. And in the train it gets so warm too. Video coming soon, but I have updates on my Instagram.
Our trip to France last year, I snowed the Friday before we left. So I was going to pck 3-4 cashmere sweaters. Thank God I checked the weather before packing (important to do always) cuz it was going to be low 70s on the days we were going on our river cruise. So I exchanged my cashmere sweaters for 3 short sleeve shirts and wore one cashmere sweater in the plane. Washed it the evening we got on our boat, and it was dry the next morning. I challenged my hubby and I to go carryon and a backpack each for our 11 days and packed a foldable duffel for souvenirs and we did it. Packed mostly black, white, gray with a colorful scarf to break the monotone. Since it was in the spring, I took two lightweight coats and a nice black zip up sweater. I think that I’m cold weather, no one will see what you wear under your outerwear so you can rewear your tops. I washed undies and socks every night on the boat and even washed tops and light bottoms. It took a little bit longer to dry but it’s better than overpacking and losing your luggage.
Layers, layers, and more layers - I totally agree! It makes packing so much easier, especially when all your layers mix and match with each other. For cold weather, Lands End makes nice engineered fabric long undies that look like ski pajamas, in tons of colours and patterns. I pack those in cold weather for both a warmer base layer and to sleep in - they take up less space than pajamas. Cotton is a great base layer for hot weather, but not for winter - as they say in the Forest Service, "cotton kills." It holds in moisture and can rapidly deplete your body temperature if it gets wet. Poly blends or wool are a better bet when warmth counts. I drape a pashmina or compact Turkish towel around my neck in all but the hottest weather - it can serve as a scarf, shawl, makeshift blanket, towel, beach blanket, emergency market bag, to cover a dodgy hotel pillow, or even (if you are stronger and fitter than I am these days!) to help you climb a palm tree to pick a coconut!
In Australia the total weight of carryon and personal item bag, (including the weight of the bags themselves) is 7kg, if you include the weight of the bags (on their own without clothes etc) then communication devices, passport, tickets, wallet, sunglasses, power adapters, medication, paperwork as itinerary - info on hotel bookings, insurance information, etc etc, shoes, clothes, all good if you can compress it into the bag but then you would be overweight
Hi Laurie. Thanks for all your tips and updates on the latest travel options. I have been traveling to Europe for 15 years and around the USA for much longer. I am currently planning a 3 week trip to Northern Italy in April. I only travel with a 20 inch suitcase and small backpack; this will be my longest trip so making sure all my clothes are interchangable is a must. I will also wash some clothing once I’m in a room for several nights (so drying is accomplished before repacking). A few things that work for me: 1) I do love scarves and pack 2, lightweight weight and not too long scarves that give me a pop of color. One in my travel backpack and one in my suitcase. I find that on the plane I love the option of covering my neck. I also find that thin scarves make a big difference when out and around; thin scarves can be tied easily and take up no space. 2) I always pack a zippered thin tote bag for my souviners (I love dishes). I always check my suitcase on the way home and use my backpack and the zippered tote as my carry on items on the way back. So….I carry home my new found treasures and if my suitcase is lost well…..travel insurance will take care of that! 3) There are amazing power packs made now that are light and small that I always have with me for my electronics. Happy traveling!
I wore hiking shoes and brought along gym shoes and light reef booties for kayaking and hanging out at the beach. Also one pair of padded bicycling pants for use with the mountain bikes. This was a 13 day trip to Portugal and I packed carry-on only. The weather was 90 degrees most days. Only regret I had was not having a pair of light weight sandals. It was cooler in the mountains at night and glad I had a sweatshirt and silk therms. Everything I packed was perfectly suited for this trip. Walking around the farms and in Lisbon you really need sturdy shoes so glad I had the hiking shoes and gym shoes.
Layer is the TIP: 1. camisole that can be worn alone if Hot Day, 2. Button up collared shirt - roll up sleeves if weather warms up 3. Pull over sweater . I take the sweater and lay on my back with arms tied in front. Or real causal wrap around waist. This way it is Easy to warm up or cool down when sightseeing. Black Cami ! Wear with Jeans or dress up with black pants for evening with cashmear scarf (same one I use on plane. Black flat sandals and honestly one pair of black dress shoes is plenty. I’ve cruised for over 2 weeks.
It's always interesting to see someone else's thought process explained, and no matter how long we've all been travelling there is always something new to learn. Personally I find short trips much harder to pack for than the really long ones - every choice seems more important. I have a criteria that wasn't covered in this video - everything must be washable in a hotel or cruise cabin sink. Therefore, I never take jeans. I also don't take puffy or heavy coats, sweaters or sweatshirts. If it's cold I layer up but I don't take anything that is particularly warm on it's own. Over the years I've gradually invested in a lot of Icebreaker brand merino wool tshirts and long sleeve tops. Wool sounds hot but it's not. It breathes and doesn't breed bacteria so they don't get funky. You can normally get two days out of a top as long as you aren't doing hot yoga in it :) I only buy their 100% wool tops (not the wool blend) and only the completely plain ones with no patterns or designs. I buy them to fit neatly and not like a typical tshirt so with a scarf they can go to dinner in most situations. Also, by taking only plain tops they are less memorable so when the same top comes around in a few days, nobody notices. I just returned from a 3 month trip using only a carry on bag. I left Canada after Christmas and had 8 days in rainy cold London, then 49 days on a cruise to Australia and a month in Australia/New Zealand. My clothes had to cover cold and rain, but also the Caribbean, Guatemala, Mexico, Hawaii, Fiji and the Australian outback in their summer. I went to art galleries, the theatre, hiking and hot air ballooning. So everything had to dress up and down and there was no room for cold weather clothes and hot weather clothes. My normal packing for a typical 6-8 week trip is always the same. 10 tops, 5 bottoms and ~5 scarves. Ideally very top must go with every bottom so that gives me 50 combinations. Then each can be dressed up with heels, or dressed down with sandals or sneakers.. Since this trip was a bit longer I did 12 tops and 6 bottoms, but otherwise all my normal rules applied. On cold sightseeing days in London I wore a tank top + t-shirt + long sleeve top + rain shell (with hood in the collar), and wrapped my coziest scarf around my neck. I have an Icebreaker headband I can wear in the hood if needed. I purposely bought the rain shell one size larger so it can easily go over many layers when necessary. If it's raining in a hot climate/jungle the extra space of the larger size just means it's not so hot if I'm wearing it over a single layer. One of my tops is always a black button up cardigan. I can wear it done up as a top, but mostly I wear it over all the other tops for warmth, or to camouflage the t-shirts so they can go to dinner. Normally two of the bottoms are "sport" fabric pants, but plain with no zip off legs, no visible snaps, buckles or phone pockets on the sides of the legs. They may be sport fabric but they must be plain enough to pass for dressier pants for dinner. My black maxi skirt can go with a tank top sandals to the beach, or with a nicer top, high heels and a scarf to formal night on a cruise. If I pull the skirt up to my armpits it becomes a strapless dress. If I put any of my tops over the strapless dress it looks like a midcalf skirt instead of a maxi. I've never used packing cubes or compression pouches but it was interesting to see you do them up so I could see how they work. I'm not sure they would be of any use to me but I'm thinking now. I never let my luggage out of my sight so having a pouch of clothes in my shoulder bag is unnecessary. There are two kinds of luggage - carry on and lost!
What great tips and recommendations! Like some of the other people in the comments, I'm team scarf. My ears stay covered better than when I wear a knit hat, and I can cover my head and wrap my neck at the same time. It's easy to wear under my rain jacket hood, and it's my blanket on travel days. Mine's lightweight gray wool, and is a great wrap/shawl in the evening. An additional silk scarf weighs nothing, feels luxurious, and is a cheerful pop of color with most neutrals. When I take off my scarf, it easily ties to the strap of whatever bag I'm using. Together, they're smaller than a warm hat.
I love watching your hints and tips, but I haven't worn a jumper (sweater) in the past 12-13 years because they make me too hot and they're really hard to remove in crowded places compared to hoodies and cardigans which slip off much more easily. When travelling I always wear my crossbody bag under my jacket or coat so if I want to remove my top layer eg after boarding a bus or entering a café, I won't struggle to keep hold of it as I disrobe. Remember that thieves zone in on victims whilst they're distracted! If I'm travelling light or I won't have access to laundry facilities, I avoid white/light colours as they attract dirt and stain easily. If you dirty a key component of your travel wardrobe, you'll have one less item to wear for your trip, so think practically - patterns and prints are much more forgiving and can look just as good as cool white. Happy travelling!
Another excellent video. My # tip is to put your shoes in your husband’s suitcase!!!! Sounds funny but it’s a lifesaver for me and he always has room. In return he puts one outfit in my carry on and 1 bathing suit. #2 tip-we purchase shampoo, toothpaste, moisturizer , sunscreen at our destination.
Thank you for your tips on packing! We are going to Scotland next month and I'm considering using only carry on bags. Your videos are really helping me prepare!
I’m definitely looking into those shoes you recommended, water resistant/proof is essential. I pack a scarf not to wear as a shawl, but to Who have around my neck because with short hair that cool wind will make a difference between being chilled and being warm. It was absolutely necessary for my trip to Ireland, for instance in the spring. . It takes less space than say a second or third turtleneck sweater. And those of us have a certain age can remove it when the heat wave comes! Lol…🫶🏻
Hi Laurie! Love your helpful videos! We have been to Europe several times and each time we learn something new about what we packed or didn't pack. We do carry on only as well, but we are from Canada. A suggestion to save on liquids is to use a lotion bar instead, or a lotion stick. I take several medications, so I use those tiny Ziplock bags, though mine are deposable, and make ones for everyday for AM and ones for PM then place them is a large Ziplock for AM and PM, works great and you gain a smidge of space everyday as the pills and little bags reduce. I only pack 1 other pair of pants besides the ones I wear onto the plane. I usually wear blue jeans onto the plane and pack a pair of black jeans. My wardrobe is entirely capsule, and I usually stick to maybe 3 colors and all pieces are in solid colours, blue, black and grey. I then take a few thin light scarves that I can mix and match with my outfits and changes things up even more and can dress up an outfit as well. I have a beautiful grey leather sling bag I use when we are out and about and it works great, can even fit my 9oz refillable water bottle in. So big tip, be sure to take a reusable water bottle. We also take small leakproof travel coffee mugs with us, so we can take our triple cappuccinos on the road! Great for those early morning departure day trips! My personal item bag is a canvas backpack that I can also use as a day pack as well. Our carry-on bags are 36 litre wheel backpacks which is super handy!
Shelley, I'm Canadian as well, and am curious about how you pack your prescription medications. You don't take the bottles with you, just the tiny Ziplocs? I'm worried about airport screeners not accepting medication that's out of its original bottle.
Hi there, We are going over seas in Oct. of 24. Flying into London, then train to Paris then on to Spain where we are boarding a cruise ship and sailing back to FL. In all 28 days . I have packed my carry on and my personal bag to see just how much I could get into my bags. I got 7 dresses, w/2 light sweaters, 5 pants and long sleeve tops, two pull over sweaters, 5 shorts sets, one is a denim skirt w/ top. Rain jacket. and umbrella. + a blazer and I am waring a long sleeve top with a fleece jacket w/jeans and sneakers, compression socks. I think I did well. I'm pleased with how much clothing I am going to be able to take. Good thing there are spinners on my carry on. I probably wouldn't be able to carry it very far. By the way, soft side bag. I tried a hard bag but it was hard to get anything in it. By the way... I am going to try to reduce some items. Thanks for all your advice.
On any trip, I bring a J-cloth (sturdy disposable paper cleaning cloth in the UK)in a small zip-lock bag (silicone now). I dampen it, put it in the silicone bag, pop it in my daily carry bag. At night take it out, wash it and let it dry, then dampen it and bring it the next day. Uses: any little mess, clean hands, blot stains, compression for cuts, wipe sweat, tear to smaller pieces for a wrap around bandage. During the day in the bathroom you can always rinse and clean it and stick it back in the little bag. They last for days.
I absolutely love your videos, Laurie! Keep doing what your doing! Your tips are invaluable. My husband and myself are taking 4 major trips a year, and we generally check luggage because of the length of our trips, but I still find your videos inspirational! ❤
I have a black packable down 3/4 length, hooded jacket. Very lightweight and folds into it's own small carrying case. What's great about it is that it's water resistant and will keep me warm from early fall to winter! Makes for a great travel piece especially if you're going to a warm weather vacation spot in winter. Wear it over lightweight layers to the airport and way before landing in Aruba, fold it up and tuck it into your underseat bag!
Oh dear God stripes terrify me! One of my first few international trips was a cruise out of Italy too monstrous bags packed full of stuff I really truly did not need rolling across Italian cobblestones and upstairs was hilarious! I’m going to have to watch this video a couple times and take notes and buy those boots for my London trip in November 😻
Love your videos! Thanks so much. Two things I feel a bit differently about. First, I know it’s not a “beauty contest” (Haha), but we take a LOT of photos. These memories live on , so I’d rather not look too dowdy. LOL Plus, I often use the outfits to help me navigate my photos to figure out what happened on what day. Secondly, I tend to like bringing a scarf. You mentioned not bringing the turtleneck. A scarf fills in there to cover the neck. I also use the scarf as a thin layer when it’s just a little cool in a restaurant. Not to mention using as a typical scarf for warmth with your coat. Just some thoughts from a fellow world-traveler! Thanks again.
I think scarves are easy to pack and add warmth and a little pop of color to dress up your outfits. Plus scarves can help tie different color schemes together. Definitely always pack a scarf.
Always pack a small umbrella for Europe. If you need to hand wash anything (underwear for example) take laundry sheets. I also seem to have lots of tops with stripes but they always look smart.
My strategy is to NOT pack an umbrella and buy one if needed! You can get a cheap one - 5 euros - if it rains and then "donate" it when you're done with it. (There are always street people who wouldn't turn down a gift of an umbrella.) I try not to carry "just in case" items that I can buy at the destination.
Being British, my strategy is to take an umbrella on all my travels around the world! I have a small lightweight umbrella that fits into even a small handbag or large coat pocket. Far better to go equipped than find yourself caught in a downpour and getting soaked whilst you try to locate an umbrella seller...
I used to take an umbrella but found it cumbersome getting on/off public transit. So I do as Laurie showed in the video and take a very thin hooded rain jacket. I got one from Columbia that folds up into its own pocket and I keep it in my daypack when sightseeing. Yes, it has a cinch on the hood in case it’s windy. It’s also a great windbreaker when it would be impossible to use an umbrella.
I found your channel today. I am planning a solo trip to Paris this Fall. I am a light packer, but have never taken only a carry-on. I am definitely getting the striped shirt on Amazon. 😁
Definitely Paris in fall is doable with carryon only. I went for 10 days last November and had room for cashmere, hat, umbrella, scarf, and everything I needed in just a carryon roller bag. You got this!
I love my joggers and a sweatshirt for changing into at the end of the day, after exploring the city. I visited my daughter in NYC and I didn’t want to wear my clothes that I wore around the city, on the bus, on the train, etc. in the hotel/her apartment. I didn’t wear my shoes into her apartment and changed into slippers. Who knows what you’re sitting on or walking through while exploring?
I agree a cardigan is not the best choice; I packed one for a 10 day springtime UK trip, wore it every day for warmth. BUT! It was cocoon-shaped and oversized so it fought with my backpack straps, was hard to tie around my waist, had useless pockets--low, wide, and flimsy. . .Should've packed two light pullovers and a crossbody bag for small items--all three of those would take up that same space. Around day 8 I said, "When I get home, I never want to see this sweater again!"
Your guidance is greatly appreciated. Ive always checked a bag when going to Italy and have decided its time to consider carry on only. My favorite travel shoes are Arcopédico! Light weight and comfortable! The sneakers are washable and the boots can be folded small and look great with pants or skirts/dresses. And i always travel with at least one scarf.
I'm pretty good at packing outfits where I can re-wear the pants and mix with different tops, but always puzzle over what shoes to take (my feet are fussy). I laughed when you said "theatuh"!
Great packing tips Laurie! I'm struggling with packing for Scotland and the Loire Valley in the fall ~ potential cool and warm weather! I'm debating about taking either merino wool and/or cashmere as well as a few 3/4 sleeve T's. The hubs and I have successfully traveled with carry-on luggage for years!
I did that same trip last September. Started in London, took the train to Edinburgh, flew to Dublin, flew to Nantes, then took a train to Amboise in the Loire Valley. (From there we went to Northern France and Belgium before flying home from Paris.) It was a total of 3-1/2 weeks and I did it all in a carry-on plus a backpack.
Your trip sounds awesome! We’ll spend a few nights in Bedfordshire, England before driving to Scotland for 1.5 weeks. Then on to Tours, St Malo, Honfleur & Giverny. Giverny is the perfect last night’s stay because it’s only an hour’s drive to CDG.
@@stephanievacek7469 Oh gosh, I wish we could chat! I'm going to Italy in a few weeks, and I'll end my trip with four days in France (I got a great deal on a flight home from CDG.) I DON'T want to spend four days in Paris, and I've considered going to Giverny. Just trying to figure out the logistics of getting there from CDG - I'll be flying in from Milan. Oh, and between London and Edinburgh is a quaint little seaside village called Seaham where you can pick up some of the best seaglass in the world. We did that last year, and it was the best thing I did on my entire trip.
If you're going to take a curling iron overseas frequently, pickup a dual voltage one so you won't need an adapter. In cool/cold weather travel I always take a scarf (love the super thin Ovcio cashmere ones!) to keep my neck warm . And for pants, dark jeans (black, blue, or grey) only as they can often pass for trousers. Love all the stripes!!
I just looked those up online and see Ovcio has two types of cashmere scarfs. Do you mean the ones they label “featherweight “ or the more traditional scarf with fringe ends? They come in so many beautiful colors! Thank you!
I am a pet sitter in the S.F. Bay Area. Even in summer, it can get quite chilly at night or early morning. I never know when I am going to need to walk a dog. Plus I have to move from household to household, so I carry everything in a weekender bag, no matter how long the stay. Of course, I almost always have access to laundry machines and the pet(s) don’t care how fashionable I am. That being said, if I happen to be sitting for a friend for mine, I might stay a few days afterwards and may need clothes to eat out in or to do visiting or outdoor activities. So I have basically a capsule wardrobe 24/7. No matter where I go, I always take a hoodie of one sort or another. I have found that rather than take a separate heavy coat, I take a nice windbreaker with a foldable, cinch-able hood and a scarf. Wearing the windbreaker with the hoodie and scarf keeps me warm when it gets chilly. In the winter, I swap out the cotton hoodie with a fleece hoodie that has a semi-fuzzy material. Layering that with my windbreaker and scarf keeps me toasty to the point that I frequently can unzip the windbreaker after warming up. I also wear the fuzzy hoodie inside when I get chilly and it’s comfy and I wear the scar to jazz up a t-shirt or other plain shirt. The friend I sit for is taking me on a dream cruise to Spain, Portugal, Ireland, England (Liverpool - big Beatle fans), and Iceland. Using this same strategy, I will take cashmere or wool rather than my fuzzy hoodie, but will be able to use layering to get from sunny Spain to chilly Iceland, even in July. I will also pack a couple of scarves to jazz up tees and other plain tops, so I can re-wear the tops without looking like I’m rewearing anything.
Hi Laurie, I love your videos! I like the way you explore options so thoroughly. I have travelled a lot and I always bring a sarong. It is multi purpose. It will keep you warmer, shade you from the sun, you can make it into a bag, it can be an extra layer on the plane, and save your hair in a light drizzle of rain. So while it’s not a scarf, it can be one and many other things too. Please keep posting your fab videos ❤❤❤
Hi Laurie....please give more visual outfits examples like how many ways you can wear these peices you are bringing...sometimes I have a hard time following you verbally... but I am still a loyal follower😮😅
Is it because I talk too fast? You could wear blue denim with a red cashmere sweater, the striped t-shirt, the black t-shirt, the green jacket, and the wide striped sweater. With black denim, you can wear it with all of the above and maybe 2 more of your own choosing.
Hi Laurie, Love your videos. I'm 73 and maybe have unpopular opinions. I'm short with short legs and wide feet. I like to bring a few dresses that I wear with leggings. I also bring the jeans from Betabrand that look nice but feel almost like pajamas and make my legs look less stubby. I have one black dress that I always bring. I don't use scarves (they hang unflatteringly down to my feet ) lol except small ones as accessories. I wear a cardigan and my Easy Spirit shoes, one a ballet slipper that packs beautifully.. I use a cane that always gets attention because it has a gold handle. Aloha
Hi Laurie, I used your packing strategies for my recent trip to the UK and the Netherlands. I praise you for your strategies but I want to comment that even if we are well prepared, travel right now is so hard and the fun has been sucked right out of it. . I took the one carry on suitcase and a small soft bag for under the seat. I was continually made to check my cabin bag. Even flying business class did not prevent this from happening. The airline lost my luggage twice, when I first arrived in The Netherlands and when I returned home. I was initially without my warm clothes (in my cabin bag which I was made to check in) for 3 days. It was cold and raining and a miserable start to the vacation. Not to mention not one penny of compensation for the loss of my gear. I have been an avid traveler all my life. I am re thinking that as I don’t enjoy being treated like a criminal, with overkill security everywhere and the crowds of people are too much. I am going to be giving any unnecessary European travel a wide berth and I would suggest to others considering traveling to Europe and the UK to do the same.
@@gloriagreen1123 I wish we could do that too. How wonderful, Cruising is the last bastion of comfort travelling. Long story I can’t cruise for medical reasons. I wish you a Bon Voyage.
Europe, esp Italy is so Over touristed you can barely see what you came to see. As world weather warms even off season is mobbed. I'm glad I saw a much of Europe 10 years ago because it's definitely work now
Stripes are a timeless classic. They always remind me of great quality menswear, so wearing a well-cut cotton striped button down shirt makes me feel the outfit is kind of elevated, yet subdued enough to not stand out. I tend to try to gently blend in with a crowd vs stand out. Floral prints styles/color combos change rapidily, but stripes have staying power.
Great tip on the cardigans. I live in Europe and it’s never ever cardigan weather here. You can’t wear it without a jacket because it’s either too cold or raining. Unless you’re indoors. A turtle neck is better.
So many great comments, I'm surprised no one has mentioned this..... I am often very hot (sweating) then very cold throughout the airport journey. Security- very hot, followed by the mile long jaunt to the gate area where I am also warm. As a result, I now wear a wicking white, or neutral T shirt that can easily wash out in the first hotel sink. Since it will easily dry, I will have it to wear again during the trip and on the return journey home. If we are traveling to a hot climate (think Italy) I will have at least 3 of these T shirts. Like Laurie, I have a second layer to add on as I sit at the gate, and during the flight. For the freezing overnight flight, I usually wear my light down coat (thin). We like to travel in April/ May or Sept/ Oct so often the coat is needed during other parts of the trip. I have it tied around suitcase handles when necessary prior to wearing on the flight.
I only pack cardigan sweaters because they go on and come off so easily, plus you can tie the sleeves around your waste instead of holding on your arms
Unbound Merino Wool is very good for travel. It keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer time. You can mix and match. You don't sweat in Merino Wool Also you don't have wash Merino Wool after every wearing.
Nice video Laurie. We have a TravelPro walkabout international carry-on, size 21” x 15” x 7.5”. This meets the international requirement for European airlines like Lufthansa, Condor, Aer Lingus, Ryan Air, British Airway and Iceland Air. But, this means you have to take your ideas and make them even smaller to fit in this type suitcase. The bag is also a perfect size for seniors where a larger bag gets heavy and also does not meet some European airlines requirements. This means you do need the capacity to wash your clothes on your trip. The downsize to this suitcase is fitting more than one pair of shoes. If you plan on outside activities in Europe, Eddie Bauer brand is perfect for lightweight packable jackets and wonderful, lightweight pants. I wore their pants in Iceland with or without leggings underneath. Their pants tend to be dirt resistant, lightweight and slightly water resistant also. I have a couple more stylish zip up, lightweight “sweatshirts” that are either gray, blue, black that I will use for layering depending on what color scheme I packed. Enjoy your fly away.
I was just in Italy on a hiking trip. The weather dropped from sunny, high 80s to rainy and low 60s in one day. I was glad I had packed my Winter Silks base layer. I wore it under my hiking shirt and was warm enough without overheating. It only weighs 3 oz and rolls up very small and wicks the moisture. I also used a fold up windbreaker over those two layers which is water resistant. We hiked up to a village in wind and rain and I was completely dry.
A few years ago I planned a trip for 6 women. 16 nights traveling from the US to France we traveled by plane, train, bus and small SUV. I told the group we can only take a carry on and a large purse. They thought I was crazy but we did it. Especially since traveling from Paris to Nice then Lourdes then Bordeaux then back to Paris by train. My mom's from France and her favorite outfits are the striped. We found a few pieces for her at this awesome little shop. Best trip ever and most challenging pack ever😂🤣 (we did plan a laundry day half way threw the trip)
Hahaha "think that I look cute" I love it. Thats' me too! I like to take a scarf as the item that brings all the outfits together. If it doesn't go with the scarf it can't go.
I do take a scarf when I travel even to southern Europe in the cooler months. We were in Italy and Malta in March. It was windy, especially in Malta. I wrapped it around my neck and knotted it, and if you want to blend in with the European women, that's the way to do it. Also, I cannot wear stripes--I'm only 5'3" and not a size 10. In the summer months, skirts are much cooler than jeans. I pack one skirt that can be worn with several tops and one dress that can be casual or dressed up. On a cruise, I take my mother of the groom dress (sorry, I paid a lot of money for it and need to get many wearings from it). I can fold it or even roll or wad it up, and it doesn't wrinkle. So, I might not ever be able to travel with just a carry on for a two-three week cruise. Thanks for the video, I learn a lot from your tips!
Those little boot cut jeans are SO flattering on you! And so modern - takes your outfit to a whole other level! Also I think navy and black look great together- also really modern💜
Hi Laurie I love reading all of your different blogs and am trying to put my suitcase together for a trip to Greece in October or November! I have most all of my clothes laid out and basically I now have to minimize what I will need to take ! The other thing is that we have a lot of things we want to take for family and friends! We are really going to have to pay attention to the airlines before buying our tickets to see whether we have to pay for checked baggage and if so , how much !
Thank you for the great advice. I was fortunate to travel from Virginia, USA to Spain close to 20 years ago. I researched the library to learn what to pack in one carry-on and received many of your valuable tips. Though I packed a light wind breaker/rain jacket, it turned out to be insufficient because Spain was having an unusual chilly and wet April. I sure hope to visit Europe again.❤
Love your channel. Would you be willing to give us a better look inside your coat that has backpack straps? I’d like to “add” straps to my existing coat, but would like to see up close how/where it attaches
Love ur tips. I do lightweight long rain jacket with hood and a velour thermal zip up for to wear underneath if cold. I never wear stripes, always a black shirt , plus 3 other shirts. 3 pants one being jeans. Bottom and tops coordinate that every top can be worn with every bottom and vice versa. I use scarfs and jewelry to dress up outfits. I look for scarfs or jewelry souvenirs that I can use to change up my look.
I live in the UK & my parents live in Norway. Last time i went i left a pair of jeans, a couple of long sleeved tops, a t shirt, nightie. Going again soon. Planning to leave a sweater & a couple of more t-shirts. Leaving clothes with family members you visit often is a good tip.
Thanks for your tips. I would pack neutral color dress which it can be use in late summer or early fall; if it is cold I could wear warm pantyhose, nice warm wool spaghetti top, the dress and use jacket, scarf.
16:21 I love that you said that! Buying a whole new wardrobe every single time your going on vacation is not necessary! Having a Capsule Wardrobe is the way to go when traveling 😍 Less stress & ready to explore... let's go! 🎉😅 😉
I knew the baggage handlers throw the luggage around - but saw a recent tiktok where they were particularly rough handling the cases - and I was thinking about you with carry on only !
I live in South Africa and was going on a flight to Namibia . We had a long wait in Johannesburg and my friend and l had both had our booked-in .luggage broken into, Now l always have my case plastic wrapped, it gives me peace of mind.
For me, I pack a colorful scarf in personal item for plane 1) in case there are unpleasant smells I put it next to my nose 2) seconds as a mask in a pinch 3) helps if cold in the air 4) helps if luggage is lost or just to extend my outfits 5) Europe luvs it's scarves, I blend in more 7) a little extra when mornings are cold and afternoons are warm.
LOL! I love your "this is not a beauty pagent... your not going to see those people again!" comment... made me laugh out loud!
Over 50!
Well and as I take photos in all the cities I don’t like to have the same outfit on - looks like I only had one outfit, 😳😩but that’s my own personal preference and something I need to get over…
Once you accept the fact that it's okay to wear things more than once (or twice), you can pack a lot lighter. Colors and pieces that coordinate & interchange, and that attitude of "we'll never see these people again", make for very light packing. We're traveling to Italy in the fall for 12 days and my plan is a carry on and personal bag. Thank you for all your travel tips!
It helps a lot plus only packing 2 pairs of shoes.
I'm traveling to Italy in the fall for 12 days as well. These are wonderful tips since I always over pack and this will be my first time trying to get everything into a carry-on.
@@VazyCap It can be done. Pay close attention to the strategies and just try it with all the outfits you want to take. Then see where you go with it.
I'm also traveling to Italy for 12 days next month (Sept) and I agree. We'll be in different cities, so we can wear the same outfits multiple times and it won't matter. And we need to launder clothes a lot less than we think. I won't necessarily launder jeans, pants, or dresses for the entire trip, and shirts only on an as-needed basis.
You are so right! 😊❤ Have enjoyable travels!
I find scarves are super versatile for trips AND the thin ones take up almost zero space in your bag. I bring two, a thicker warm one on the plane and a thin chic one (usually printed silk) that dresses up my pima cotton tshirt for a fancy dinner. This worked brilliantly on my Alaska cruise last month, as both scarves were in the same color "family" and went with all my clothes. ❤
A scarf which keeps you warm on the plane, can act as a wrap over a dress for dinner, and as a beach sarong. I wouldn't travel without one.
EEEK a cruise in Alaska!
Yes! I am a big fan of scarves on a daily basis. Definitely for travelling, too..., Like you said, they take up so little space in one's luggage, so versatile and can really elevate an outfit with so little effort. 😁
Yes, the scarf is a must for me too. I carry a thinner patterned one that dresses up an outfit, or provides a bit of additional coverage on my neck if it's chilly, and in the summer I keep one in my bag to drape over my bare shoulders for entering Cathedrals or if we find an AC restaurant. Of course it coordinates with all my outer pieces. We have travelled Europe spring, summer and fall and the scarf came in handy every trip. We have encountered rain in all 3 of those seasons as well and the waterproof shoes and rain jacket were musts! Weather changes so quickly and is so unpredictable anymore.
I love your travel tips, Laurie!
Thanks Brenda!@@brendagescher9212
Why doesn't anyone talk undies? The truth about older women who need pad protection with their underwear? Here's my tip: because i wear a thin pad everyday for bladder leaks, i can get 2 days of wear per pair of underpants; for a 10 day trip i need 5 pair of panties. Also, pack nylon undies vs cotton because they can be compressed smaller. I also never hear anyone talk how many bras. Comfortable and clean undergarments are as important as outerwear.
Thank you for saying what we are all thinking 😊
Love the Tommy John Air style of underwear. So comfortable, no VPL, and easy to hand wash and they dry super fast. They are thin and pack well.
I have discovered Knix underwear instead of pads. No panty lines, real thin and the highest protection one will hold 10 oz. They were originally made for period protection. Then we baby boomers discovered them. And so packable and washable. I love, love, love them.
Love the Soma Enbliss tank top as a layer I’ve even used it as a swim top
We pack old undies and throw them away. Have a couple pair of wash and dry over nite. Spent a month in Europe with just a carry on. To pack, I opened my carry on, put in everything I wanted……then spent the next 2 weeks taking stuff out til I could close it. We went to laundry mat, which were efficient and quick, about every 8 days.
I'm from Europe, to answer your question, the Breton (striped) top originated from France. Coco Chanel re-imagined the top as a chic piece of clothing.
Ooh, I feel so French!! Thanks for the explanation.
I have one of those Breton tops I bought last time I was in France (last year) and was debating whether to take it on my trip to Europe next month. After seeing this video, I think I WILL take it!
Love Bretonnieres! I collect them as they go with almost everything! E. LeClerc's (huge grocery store in France) sells great ones in cotton and wool every summer. They also are a 4 season item. Love them!
@eclairtreo hope they'll carry them in the Fall also!
@@eclairtreo I have a number in my favourite colours.
One thing I always do is shop for and bring secondhand clothes on the trip. Even if I wear them once, and don’t really think they work or don’t love them, I just leave whatever it is behind in the hotel when I check out. It gives me more room for souvenirs 😂 and I haven’t wasted much money in the process of clothes shopping.
Hi Laurie. You mentioned you wouldn’t wear the navy and white turtleneck with black denim. Perhaps that’s just your preference but I wanted to add that navy and black is a very chic combination. It’s often attributed to Yves Saint Laurent and was a combo worn often by Jackie O and other stylish women. Love your videos!
I’ll look closer at those outfits - now I’ll probably see it everywhere since you mentioned it.
I have that same fashion advice ingrained in my head. My brain tells me black or navy, but not both. It’s just like the white after Labor Day nonsense. 😊
@@KAT00035 That’s the way I was “trained” too. Google black and navy and there are lots of photos and articles about it. Being able to combine those colors really expands travel wardrobe options. Yay!
I love black and brown too!
I agree.
I always take a large, good quality pashmina (all year) and/or blanket scarf (winter). It’s a formal evening top layer, a normal winter scarf, a modest covering for visits to religious sites, something to prevent thigh peel in hot weather (shorts), an eye mask/neck pillow on the plane, a hair accessory (Grace Kelly style/for wash day), a Dick Whittington bag, a poolside sarong/lounger towel in a pinch, an extra warm layer on the bed, …
Great essentials. Thanks for sharing your thought process strategy too.
My essentials for travel: slipper socks w/tread in separate ziplock bag (to avoid being bare feet in airplanes, on hotel carpet or slippery wood or bathroom floors), a washcloth (not a given in non-US hotels, airbnbs, etc) for bathing, spills, etc. w plastic bag, 2 inflatable clothes hangars for laundry(shirts) & 1/2 dozen clothespins, 1 or 2 small bungee cords, collapsible jewelry tray for collecting car keys, room keys, jewelry, etc to prevent loss, packing checklist esp. for a longer stay, an extension cord (even for international). I also believe in rolling tops & sweaters for cubes.
Amazon offers a bungee cord with built on clothespins. It also has hooks on the ends to allow for looping around for easy hanging.
Very interesting to hear your thought process through all of this.
I will say for myself, a scarf is a definite travel essential. I tend to ping pong between feeling hot/cold numerous times (thanks menopausal hot flashes) and the scarf is the easiest thing to whip on and off according to my comfort zone. It can also double as a light blanket for napping. I usually either wear it as my travel outfit or roll it up tightly into my under seat bag.
Same! And in addition, we bring a light scarf for me and my 6 year old to share when it’s really sunny out. An easy way to get sun protection while on a hop on hop off bus or sitting at an outdoor cafe :)
It is a versatile piece for travel outfits.
And in Italy in summer, you can use the scarf to cover your shoulders if you want to go into a church. I have a super light Ovcio scarf that weighs nothing and takes very little space.
Same...I love having a versatile scarf with me. I have used it as a head covering and as a skirt to cover my knees to go into temples and churches and rolled up as a pillow. Thanks Laurie for all of your great tips!!
I didn’t have hot flashes, (not gloating) but I have heard from women who do that putting a few drops of Clary Sage essential oil on your wrists will eliminate hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. Best of luck!
Hi Laurie! I love your content. My travel hack involves scarves for colder weather. Instead of a bulky wool or heavy knit scarf, I pack rectangular silk scarves. They take up no space and keep my neck just as warm. Plus, I can pack more than one so that I don't look the same in all my pictures. They fit in my purse and my jacket pocket.
I bet that is true! I love my 100% silk pillowcase. Against your skin would be wonderful and helpful.
I think stripes are great because they are classic! They also seem to not show stains or smudges as much as a solid top would. I don't usually take a scarf with me, but scarves are my favorite souvenir to buy. I'll buy one or two and wear them throughout the trip, and after I'm home when I wear them they remind me of my travels! Thanks for all your helpful, fun videos.
That's a great idea. True about stains-thanks.
Flying to England the day after Thanksgiving to see Christmas lights and markets. We always go carry on, pick a color combo where everything can be worn with everything. I could wear black and white stripes for days! Love it.
My eyes are drawn to stripes.
When we go to Europe it’s for a month, so 4 or 5 silk scarves are a must for me. Three merino wool tops and a different scarf easily gives me a weeklong wardrobe that I repeat four times! The silk scarves take almost no room in my bag and are warm yet not heavy.
Thank you for sharing-love hearing everyone's thoughts.
please say more about the tops! are they Sweaters?
@@elainemiles3676 Yes, a black one from Athleta, another black one I bought in Italy, and a red one from LLBean. I was fortunate to get the Athleta one at a second-hand store and the red one on clearance. I splurged a little when I got the one in Italy!
I had 4-5 scarves when I went to Europe last fall and winter. They were lifesavers and outfit jazzers!
Tip 1: make sure in your capsule wardrobe you have one outfit/base layers that are good for warm weather and one outfit/layer that will make you warm. Even with checking the weather right before, things can change during your trip.
Tip 2: Wear your lightest outfit/shoes on the plane to the destination and your heaviest & bulkiest outfit/shoes on the way home. This has a two-fold effect: it guarantees you have room for purchases on the way home and ensures you aren't packing too heavy to meet weight limits.
Yes great minds think alike! You sound like you watched the video lol.
Maybe you could wear a nice scarf on the plane! Need that show and Talbot shirt info!
I wear the same heavy outfit going and coming as usually ireland which im coming from is colder and usally im going to a warmer place.
I have switched all of my travel clothes to ultra light weight period and bought them all on Amazon over these past years. Definately an investment.
I lost all the jeans and T's and swetshirts and heavy hard to pack and wash fabrics like heavy knit anything.
Starting with pants, I found some styles of hiking pants that are so neutral and clean cut, allot of people are buying these for their office/ business use and definitely for travel. They are stretch comfortable, not flimsy, depending the size you choose- not too clingy or tight, so i sixe one up, and made from highly breathable fabrics, so hold little order or stains, yet wind and water resistant and definitely quick dry. Mine have back and front pockets. Pick the right top and you would never know they are not dress pants. Mine are from Mountain Hardware but I tried a few China brands that seem similar.
I just love Mountain Hardware as they do some magic trick to their fabrics. If it's cold I wear good quality butter soft yoga pants underneath and these double as my sleeping bottoms. Easy wash in the sink, or in my travel scrubby wash bag, quick dry, I bring two pairs and switch off. The brand I LOVE is Walifrey and its a China brand not expensive. They wash and dry perfect in the machine with all my clothes. No pilling at all and don't attract lint.They are 92 percent poly, 8 percent Elastane. So soft !!!
I definitely layer my tops, starting always with a tank. I found these casual but classic sleeveless V neck tops that look like a chiffon material, super, super lite but definitely not see through, 95 percent polyester, 5 percent spandex, with a bit of pleat in the front, and a bit flowy, but not ridiculous, they hide everything....these can be used out hiking or walking and my definate go to for that as I get hot quickly, wear at the beach or definately out to dinner or whatever fancy place. They don't hold wrinkles much (because of the spandex), super lite for even the hottest days. Really a savior for me. I have tried a few brands now they all seem the same, last I bought are by 'Anyhold' and really it's all I ever where now I have six! So darn comfortable and they pack down to nothing.
For a mid layer cashmere is definitely great as a dress down or up option, especially the button up styles, but some companies are also coming up with a mix of Alpaca as the big rush to create Merino wool everything found allot of us allergic and itchy, no matter the brand. So this definitely does the job and definitely better then microfleece when going towards the dress up side. I got a plain button up black one. Down side is they are very expensive but I have had some for over a decade still perfect. Actually one is over 20 years old now that I think about it....definitely got the 50 dollars I put in back then, lol. Now sadly they are double.
I do pack two sun hoodies and I will say Mountain Hardwear 'Crater Lake' style is the best so far and has this amazing butter soft material in pretty solid colors or some prints. I love the forest green and the White Sprite. You don't want to take these off I promise. Not cheap but you are paying for amazing fabric I have not found even close to in China brands-yet. Great on transportation days, when you want sleeves or skin cover in grimey places, on the dusty road and definitely for me a must to walk around in sun. Easy wash, super quick dry and I trade off the two each night to use as sleeping tops. Especially if the AC gets too much in the car, or wherever place, or hotel. They keep the surface chill off your skin but do not make you hot. Plus they are UPF 50 and pack super tiny.
I go with just a few solid colors now, definitely black, pretty dark forrest green almost a jade, lighter olive green or sage so popular now, cream or beige if it's hot, and I toss in dark burnt orange or deep true maroon to mix things up if I can find cute stuff, they blend well and so I look neutral, blend in especially in crowds and in nature to not stand out which is the worse thing for becoming a target. So all my clothes are mix and match really especially with the right scarf to pull them together, and look flattering in pictures which last a lifetime. I hate gray on women, such a dead color, but that is a good option as well for the 'greyman effect'. Bright pink, blue, yellow, big prints, pictures, shapes, lines, lettering definitely attracts attention. Horizontal stipes look horrible on curvy or heavier women IMHO so I avoid them like the plague but I get why they are like camouflage in a crowd as well and why they mess up video. If I want some color on my solid base, I accent again with scarves, some pretty short neck scarves, small super lite and a good item to protect my neck from sun exposure and skin damage omg what a mess that sun makes on the neck... or protect my neck cold which then makes me super cold. Some have nice embroidery and fancy edges, like a bohemian flair, and are so pretty. I bring a thin cotten/poly shawl or a small size 'sarong', about 3-1/2' by 4-1/2 ' . I try to find fabric with UPF protection, so just a piece of fabric which is brilliant for people who fluctuate in tempreture allot, hot one minute, chilly the next. These are obviously great for the beach especially as a cover, you can even make yourself a little 'hood if its windy', dampen if it's too hot -keeps my neck cool so my temp down and for me a savior when my back pack straps start digging into my shoulders. So for the beach I just bring like a brushed swade hand sized tiny micro pack towel, and matching face cloth or banana to dry off my body and face, in lieu of a big beach towel or big pack towel even. I just to wipe off and then toss on the shawl. I use this shawl as a thin blanket for my travel naps, or to roll up as a neck pillow...wear as a fancy shawl at dinner or the threatre. I got the idea from a young woman who travels Europe allot doing quite a bit of photography, and said she often needs a head cover to enter churches and temples and this was her solution and she realized she could use it for so much more. Definitely not inventing the wheel here, I mean this 'garment' has been used for tens of thousands of years, but we modern people forget just how useful this one item is. I always had one but never thought to look beyond the beach....
For shoes for me its simple. I got Solomon waterproof trail runners in black, and you really can't beat these for weight and comfort. I have a pair of 'Mary Jane' style walking shoes by Sctetcher in black that look dressy, so comfortable and black leather thin strap style pretty sandals that are super comfortable. I keep one pair of cheap black flip flops for public showers or the beach but mostly wear Water Sox now in the water with the thin rubber bottom also like a Mary Jane style and these double as my slippers. Great to where on long rides and I stuff these always in my tiny day pack. I layer my sox as well ranging from a few no show to thin liner ankle socks by Darn Tuff and their slightly thicker hiking ankle sock. If my feet get cold I can pair up on them either add the liner inside or the no show outside of the thicker sox, which all have a lifetime guarantee. They wear so well its crazy. I got a bunch on sale. If it's really cold for sleeping as we camp allot I have teeny packable down booties. So small. I think those are by Narure Hike.
For jackets it's the same layering system. A tiny packable fully waterproof rain shell, (and thin pants) a down puffy, and a wind jacket called an KOR Airshell all by, yes Mountain Hardware. The Airshell is just amazing and packs micro small pocket sized. All this will fit in a 18L day pack easily with plenty of room to spare. For any and most all travel I keep these handy with me unless it's crazy hot, so nights above 70 I may leave the puffy behind... along with one pair of my awesome Yoga pants, my sun hoodie, ulra thin womans running shorts with inside liner and a lite spandex tank (I use these for swimming too), running gloves, and whatever layer sox I don't have on, plus spare usually spandex underware. I usually wear a spandex sports bra and those dry quickly if I take a plunge. This is my emergency change of clothes. More then not I use them especially during a whole day excursion.Sometimes I wear the running shorts under my hiking pants like underware if I know there may be a good chance I will go swimming. Or under the one sundress I bring. Easy on and off. And that is the last item, my sun dress. I chose black with cream accents, it's cotten, and similar to my sorong so it matches. I could easily wear this to a fancy event because of the style and embroidery or to the beach. Again those yoga pants look cute underneath if my legs get cold or there are bugs.
This whole wardrobe all works in synchronicity really and what you really need to pack lite and comfortable. I can fit this in a 28L backpack clamsell suitcase. Mine is by CORE surf. What takes up more room is actually tech and batteries, my power bank and camera stuff so I wish I got the 40L. And what I would definitely recommend. Otherwise the bag is brilliant.
Hope this helps.
Laurie, this was WONDERFUL! Hubby and I are doing 5 weeks in Europe and what you have here is exactly what I am already planning! 10 days is the benchmark that can be stretched out for the longer vacays. I also bring a couple turtleneck dickies (from long ago!) so I don't need a scarf or shirts with turtlenecks. And about stripes? Mais oui! Very VERY French! Love it! As usual, wonderful advice and tips. You've had so much experience that your videos are the best "go to" from a seasoned traveler to any wanna be successful vacationer! Thank you!!
Hi and thank you so much!!
Hi Laurie, I found your channel in 2019 when I was planning a trip to Italy. I’ve since travelled to Hawaii and I’m now planning a two week trip through Southern France/Northern Italy and I continuously find myself drawn back to your channel…I finally subscribed 😜Your common sense advice and no nonsense attitude are so valuable and I appreciate you. You have helped me to make my trips the best they can be ❤ Thank you so, so much!! 😊😊
At 63 years young I have found the style that works best for me when traveling internationally. While I appreciate the Breton, horizontal stripes do not look good on me as I have a very square shape. I’m also 5’10” tall and don’t want to stand out anymore in a crowd so I go with solids and use silk scarves to draw attention up toward my face. Scarves take up so little room and can change up the same outfit. My travel wardrobe is filled with a lot of merino wool and have a base of black and dark grey, adding in a couple shirts in a solid bright color along with various scarves. Darker pants also help with any dirt/grime you encounter on a day out touring or hiking. For Europe, it is always best to layer as it may be freezing outside but inside restaurants, museums, and historic sites it can be stifling hot! For our 2 week Christmas trip on the Rhine, I’m wearing a merino wool jacket topped by a car-coat length London Fog raincoat. I can check or carry my raincoat as needed. If we are traveling more than a week, we typically find a laundry and wash any items as needed so we always try to pack light. My travel tip is to purchase some quality base pieces in merino wool…it packs so well, is light, and can be worn multiple times without washing.
Yes, great minds think alike. Laundry is so helpful. I do love merino wool now.
For trips to Europe I also pack single use rain ponchos. You can wear them several times and they are very small and hardly use any space in your luggage. But they won’t work for a event where you need to be dressed nice. But if it’s just for hiking and even touring a city, I think these single use plastic ponchos are great.
Great tip and easy to pack! Thx
As an ex pat I would never rely on single use rainwear in Europe. Bring something much more substantial!
I actually love scarves and button up cardigans for multi-season trips. It helps me to work on fine tuning my temperature, so I don't freeze at one destination and boil at another, when I can just unwrap a scarf and open my cardigan when it gets warm.
I went to Rome in March, and a thin silk-alpaca cardigan helped keep me warm en route to the airport in Finland (where it was least 10 degrees centigrade cooler than in Rome) and when I was about to overheat, I could undo the cardi and still keep comfortably warm.
Yes, all great tips! I love hearing people's thoughts.
I love a pashmina for seasons when it might get cool - but not really cold - in the evenings. It can go over your shoulders to dress up your outfit for dinner and take the chill off. Also doubles as a cozy blanket on the airplane.
black golf pants also work great as airport pants for men. - mine can be worn with or without a belt, so I can go through the airport without, and then add it if I want to wear a tucked in shirt.
personally, I'm unfond of pullovers, I'll wear a T-shirt, but I've got stacks of sweatshirts I almost never wear because it's inconvenient putting them on and taking them off.
addendum: and of course, my tip for men: wear a jacket with good pockets (especially if it has zippered pockets), and transfer everything from your pants pockets to your jacket pockets before security. then when you put the jacket in the bin, your pockets are clear.
(And ladies, you should revolt against manufacturers who make clothing with useless pockets.)
on our european trips, we stay in airbnbs with washing machines. some have dryers, most just have a drying rack, but since we can do laundry, I don't have to pack many clothes. We also don't do any super fancy places. Staying in an airbnb usually means we are in a neighborhood, and not in a super touristy area. Local eateries tend to be more "every day". This also saves a lot of space. I have learned to not care that I am wearing one of two sweaters in every travel photo for the past eight years. We tend to travel in March for spring break, so it's generally cold enough to wear some type of jacket. unlike you, I prefer to have a jacket with a hood. A hat is just one more thing to lose, and I have curly hair, so a hood does less damage than a tight hat. Thanks for the video!!!!
Great tips, Laurie! I am still a fan of scarves for their overall versatility and ability to wear with multiple outfits. But I hear you on the thin sweater thing. You've inspired me to get more cashmere! I'm a big fan of merino wool too; I'm currently on a 3-month carry-on trip through Europe with a travel capsule wardrobe made of ONLY merino wool! A fun experiment.
Oh wow way to go!! I’d it getting cooler at all?
I also enjoy your travel tips, Nora. Have added a couple merino wool tshirts to my capsule travel wardrobe. Currently in Munich airport about to embark on a three week Scandinavian tour.
EEK have such a wonderful trip!@@virginialuckins6926
@@TravelTipsbyLaurie Not particularly! First month in the Bulgarian mountains was a grab bag of temperatures, current location on Madeira is very hot (though apparently the heatwave is supposed to break this week); next month in Estonia will probably be cooler. The great thing about merino wool is that it's great in cool - and warm - temps!
@@virginialuckins6926 Happy travels Virginia! I hope your merino shirts serve you well :-)
I’ve traveled internationally for 40 years and am still learning from your videos😊
I do too! That is why I keep sharing them.
I roll up my down jacket and use it as a neck pillow. I usually bring a 26.5 inches back length 650 fill down jacket during cold weather season to Europe. I would bring the 2 sleeves towards the zipper, then roll it along the back lengthwise. You can use rubber bands to secure both ends before enclosing it by using a pair of clean tube socks from both ends. I wear it around my neck and secure it with a safety pin. Save space and have a neck pillow.
I always bring a nice pashmina that coordinates with the clothes I am most likely to wear in the evening. They add glamour (worn around the neck) and warmth (worn around the shoulders) and are easy to pack.
Pilot wife here… we love to travel to Europe the beginning of December- loads are light but it’s always 🥶! I have learned to bring less sweaters, 2 coats, and a couple of scarves. Because when it’s cold in the photos all that’s seen is the coat and scarf- not the sweaters. Scarves are also a fun thing to buy on a trip. Love the striped tops for travel, they work great to bring in white into an outfit to coordinate with white sneakers. Thanks for all the tips!
Ooh smart tips! Hope you have wonderful trips. Where in Europe in December? I'm looking for non busy areas since our only just entered college.
@@TravelTipsbyLaurie our recent December Europe trips were to Paris and London- we have also been to Charleston and Vegas. All were great in early December - easy flights and the places we visited were not crowded.
Laurie Bounce makes a wrinkle releaser fabric refresher that is awesome. Unless you sweat heavily you can wear an outfit more than once. I also found a product called Soak you put a few squirts in a sink with some water with your clothes, swish around a little and then hang dry . You don’t even need to rinse it, works great for light weight clothes.
Yes. We always carry a small tube of hand detergent, and handwash t-shirts, underwear etc.. It doesn't take five minutes, at night, and they're usually dry in the morning. It halves the items you need, and is a game changer.
Thanks so much!
Two words Merino wool! Perfect in every season, great layering items and don’t hold any odors! Made to be worn again and again before washing.
Hi Laurie! I’m going to the UK early next year and I haven’t been to Europe in a little over 20 years so I was getting a bit apprehensive about it, but after power watching your videos I’m feeling very well prepared and not worried at all. The biggest thing will be keeping track of the weather before I go! Your Husbands pilot tips really took a load of my mind too! Thank you so much!
Yay! I wish I would've packed more t-shirts because even though it was 40 degrees outside, my hotel room had very little air conditioning and was so warm. And in the train it gets so warm too. Video coming soon, but I have updates on my Instagram.
Our trip to France last year, I snowed the Friday before we left. So I was going to pck 3-4 cashmere sweaters. Thank God I checked the weather before packing (important to do always) cuz it was going to be low 70s on the days we were going on our river cruise. So I exchanged my cashmere sweaters for 3 short sleeve shirts and wore one cashmere sweater in the plane. Washed it the evening we got on our boat, and it was dry the next morning. I challenged my hubby and I to go carryon and a backpack each for our 11 days and packed a foldable duffel for souvenirs and we did it. Packed mostly black, white, gray with a colorful scarf to break the monotone. Since it was in the spring, I took two lightweight coats and a nice black zip up sweater. I think that I’m cold weather, no one will see what you wear under your outerwear so you can rewear your tops. I washed undies and socks every night on the boat and even washed tops and light bottoms. It took a little bit longer to dry but it’s better than overpacking and losing your luggage.
Wow, efficient packing! Crazy when we have to think like that last minute because of weather!
Layers, layers, and more layers - I totally agree! It makes packing so much easier, especially when all your layers mix and match with each other. For cold weather, Lands End makes nice engineered fabric long undies that look like ski pajamas, in tons of colours and patterns. I pack those in cold weather for both a warmer base layer and to sleep in - they take up less space than pajamas. Cotton is a great base layer for hot weather, but not for winter - as they say in the Forest Service, "cotton kills." It holds in moisture and can rapidly deplete your body temperature if it gets wet. Poly blends or wool are a better bet when warmth counts. I drape a pashmina or compact Turkish towel around my neck in all but the hottest weather - it can serve as a scarf, shawl, makeshift blanket, towel, beach blanket, emergency market bag, to cover a dodgy hotel pillow, or even (if you are stronger and fitter than I am these days!) to help you climb a palm tree to pick a coconut!
I love all your tips!
This is the BEST video! I like how Laurie discusses the psychology behind what to pack. Thinking less is more is the strategy to pack.
Yay, I do hope to help you think why before you pack some things. And some are just fun!
Your videos always cause me to shop till I drop 😂😂 Things I didn't know I really needed. Very helpful video!! Have a safe trip and have fun. ✈
I hear ya!
In Australia the total weight of carryon and personal item bag, (including the weight of the bags themselves) is 7kg, if you include the weight of the bags (on their own without clothes etc) then communication devices, passport, tickets, wallet, sunglasses, power adapters, medication, paperwork as itinerary - info on hotel bookings, insurance information, etc etc, shoes, clothes, all good if you can compress it into the bag but then you would be overweight
Hi Laurie. Thanks for all your tips and updates on the latest travel options. I have been traveling to Europe for 15 years and around the USA for much longer. I am currently planning a 3 week trip to Northern Italy in April. I only travel with a 20 inch suitcase and small backpack; this will be my longest trip so making sure all my clothes are interchangable is a must. I will also wash some clothing once I’m in a room for several nights (so drying is accomplished before repacking). A few things that work for me: 1) I do love scarves and pack 2, lightweight weight and not too long scarves that give me a pop of color. One in my travel backpack and one in my suitcase. I find that on the plane I love the option of covering my neck. I also find that thin scarves make a big difference when out and around; thin scarves can be tied easily and take up no space. 2) I always pack a zippered thin tote bag for my souviners (I love dishes). I always check my suitcase on the way home and use my backpack and the zippered tote as my carry on items on the way back. So….I carry home my new found treasures and if my suitcase is lost well…..travel insurance will take care of that! 3) There are amazing power packs made now that are light and small that I always have with me for my electronics. Happy traveling!
Thanks for your tips. Hope you get to fly to Europe many more times in the new year.
I wore hiking shoes and brought along gym shoes and light reef booties for kayaking and hanging out at the beach. Also one pair of padded bicycling pants for use with the mountain bikes. This was a 13 day trip to Portugal and I packed carry-on only. The weather was 90 degrees most days. Only regret I had was not having a pair of light weight sandals. It was cooler in the mountains at night and glad I had a sweatshirt and silk therms. Everything I packed was perfectly suited for this trip. Walking around the farms and in Lisbon you really need sturdy shoes so glad I had the hiking shoes and gym shoes.
It’s so much easier to pack for warm locations.
What month were you in Portugal? Getting ready for a May trip.
July @@sarahphilbricksandhage1443
Layer is the TIP: 1. camisole that can be worn alone if Hot Day, 2. Button up collared shirt - roll up sleeves if weather warms up 3. Pull over sweater . I take the sweater and lay on my back with arms tied in front. Or real causal wrap around waist. This way it is Easy to warm up or cool down when sightseeing. Black Cami ! Wear with Jeans or dress up with black pants for evening with cashmear scarf (same one I use on plane. Black flat sandals and honestly one pair of black dress shoes is plenty. I’ve cruised for over 2 weeks.
Such smart outfit tips for only packing in a carry-on!
It's always interesting to see someone else's thought process explained, and no matter how long we've all been travelling there is always something new to learn. Personally I find short trips much harder to pack for than the really long ones - every choice seems more important.
I have a criteria that wasn't covered in this video - everything must be washable in a hotel or cruise cabin sink. Therefore, I never take jeans. I also don't take puffy or heavy coats, sweaters or sweatshirts. If it's cold I layer up but I don't take anything that is particularly warm on it's own. Over the years I've gradually invested in a lot of Icebreaker brand merino wool tshirts and long sleeve tops. Wool sounds hot but it's not. It breathes and doesn't breed bacteria so they don't get funky. You can normally get two days out of a top as long as you aren't doing hot yoga in it :) I only buy their 100% wool tops (not the wool blend) and only the completely plain ones with no patterns or designs. I buy them to fit neatly and not like a typical tshirt so with a scarf they can go to dinner in most situations. Also, by taking only plain tops they are less memorable so when the same top comes around in a few days, nobody notices. I just returned from a 3 month trip using only a carry on bag. I left Canada after Christmas and had 8 days in rainy cold London, then 49 days on a cruise to Australia and a month in Australia/New Zealand. My clothes had to cover cold and rain, but also the Caribbean, Guatemala, Mexico, Hawaii, Fiji and the Australian outback in their summer. I went to art galleries, the theatre, hiking and hot air ballooning. So everything had to dress up and down and there was no room for cold weather clothes and hot weather clothes. My normal packing for a typical 6-8 week trip is always the same. 10 tops, 5 bottoms and ~5 scarves. Ideally very top must go with every bottom so that gives me 50 combinations. Then each can be dressed up with heels, or dressed down with sandals or sneakers.. Since this trip was a bit longer I did 12 tops and 6 bottoms, but otherwise all my normal rules applied. On cold sightseeing days in London I wore a tank top + t-shirt + long sleeve top + rain shell (with hood in the collar), and wrapped my coziest scarf around my neck. I have an Icebreaker headband I can wear in the hood if needed. I purposely bought the rain shell one size larger so it can easily go over many layers when necessary. If it's raining in a hot climate/jungle the extra space of the larger size just means it's not so hot if I'm wearing it over a single layer. One of my tops is always a black button up cardigan. I can wear it done up as a top, but mostly I wear it over all the other tops for warmth, or to camouflage the t-shirts so they can go to dinner. Normally two of the bottoms are "sport" fabric pants, but plain with no zip off legs, no visible snaps, buckles or phone pockets on the sides of the legs. They may be sport fabric but they must be plain enough to pass for dressier pants for dinner. My black maxi skirt can go with a tank top sandals to the beach, or with a nicer top, high heels and a scarf to formal night on a cruise. If I pull the skirt up to my armpits it becomes a strapless dress. If I put any of my tops over the strapless dress it looks like a midcalf skirt instead of a maxi.
I've never used packing cubes or compression pouches but it was interesting to see you do them up so I could see how they work. I'm not sure they would be of any use to me but I'm thinking now. I never let my luggage out of my sight so having a pouch of clothes in my shoulder bag is unnecessary. There are two kinds of luggage - carry on and lost!
What great tips and recommendations!
Like some of the other people in the comments, I'm team scarf. My ears stay covered better than when I wear a knit hat, and I can cover my head and wrap my neck at the same time. It's easy to wear under my rain jacket hood, and it's my blanket on travel days. Mine's lightweight gray wool, and is a great wrap/shawl in the evening. An additional silk scarf weighs nothing, feels luxurious, and is a cheerful pop of color with most neutrals. When I take off my scarf, it easily ties to the strap of whatever bag I'm using. Together, they're smaller than a warm hat.
I love watching your hints and tips, but I haven't worn a jumper (sweater) in the past 12-13 years because they make me too hot and they're really hard to remove in crowded places compared to hoodies and cardigans which slip off much more easily. When travelling I always wear my crossbody bag under my jacket or coat so if I want to remove my top layer eg after boarding a bus or entering a café, I won't struggle to keep hold of it as I disrobe. Remember that thieves zone in on victims whilst they're distracted! If I'm travelling light or I won't have access to laundry facilities, I avoid white/light colours as they attract dirt and stain easily. If you dirty a key component of your travel wardrobe, you'll have one less item to wear for your trip, so think practically - patterns and prints are much more forgiving and can look just as good as cool white. Happy travelling!
Ooh those are great tips! Very smart.
Another excellent video. My # tip is to put your shoes in your husband’s suitcase!!!! Sounds funny but it’s a lifesaver for me and he always has room. In return he puts one outfit in my carry on and 1 bathing suit. #2 tip-we purchase shampoo, toothpaste, moisturizer , sunscreen at our destination.
Love that tip!
Thank you for your tips on packing! We are going to Scotland next month and I'm considering using only carry on bags. Your videos are really helping me prepare!
Oh you can totally do this!
I just LOVE your informative and helpful videos! You offer so many awesome ideas🤗
My goal is to help you think of things before you pack those outfits. So glad they help somewhat.
I’m definitely looking into those shoes you recommended, water resistant/proof is essential.
I pack a scarf not to wear as a shawl, but to Who have around my neck because with short hair that cool wind will make a difference between being chilled and being warm. It was absolutely necessary for my trip to Ireland, for instance in the spring. . It takes less space than say a second or third turtleneck sweater. And those of us have a certain age can remove it when the heat wave comes! Lol…🫶🏻
Great tips even for domestic travel! Thanks for all your videos, they are so helpful.
Glad you like them! I started thinking of the strategies that go into outfits for Europe and was inspired to make one with my tips.
Colombia fishing shirts are great as they dont crinkle and have uv protection.
Hi Laurie! Love your helpful videos! We have been to Europe several times and each time we learn something new about what we packed or didn't pack. We do carry on only as well, but we are from Canada. A suggestion to save on liquids is to use a lotion bar instead, or a lotion stick. I take several medications, so I use those tiny Ziplock bags, though mine are deposable, and make ones for everyday for AM and ones for PM then place them is a large Ziplock for AM and PM, works great and you gain a smidge of space everyday as the pills and little bags reduce. I only pack 1 other pair of pants besides the ones I wear onto the plane. I usually wear blue jeans onto the plane and pack a pair of black jeans. My wardrobe is entirely capsule, and I usually stick to maybe 3 colors and all pieces are in solid colours, blue, black and grey. I then take a few thin light scarves that I can mix and match with my outfits and changes things up even more and can dress up an outfit as well. I have a beautiful grey leather sling bag I use when we are out and about and it works great, can even fit my 9oz refillable water bottle in. So big tip, be sure to take a reusable water bottle. We also take small leakproof travel coffee mugs with us, so we can take our triple cappuccinos on the road! Great for those early morning departure day trips! My personal item bag is a canvas backpack that I can also use as a day pack as well. Our carry-on bags are 36 litre wheel backpacks which is super handy!
Hi and thanks! What is a triple cappuccino? Is that just large enough for our aluminum 20 oz mugs?
Shelley, I'm Canadian as well, and am curious about how you pack your prescription medications. You don't take the bottles with you, just the tiny Ziplocs? I'm worried about airport screeners not accepting medication that's out of its original bottle.
Hi there, We are going over seas in Oct. of 24. Flying into London, then train to Paris then on to Spain where we are boarding a cruise ship and sailing back to FL. In all 28 days . I have packed my carry on and my personal bag to see just how much I could get into my bags. I got 7 dresses, w/2 light sweaters, 5 pants and long sleeve tops, two pull over sweaters, 5 shorts sets, one is a denim skirt w/ top. Rain jacket. and umbrella. + a blazer and I am waring a long sleeve top with a fleece jacket w/jeans and sneakers, compression socks. I think I did well. I'm pleased with how much clothing I am going to be able to take. Good thing there are spinners on my carry on. I probably wouldn't be able to carry it very far. By the way, soft side bag. I tried a hard bag but it was hard to get anything in it. By the way... I am going to try to reduce some items. Thanks for all your advice.
The wit and wisdom waistbands are super comfortable!!!
Thanks for showing the clothes you take. I love that coat too!!
Thanks for watching!
On any trip, I bring a J-cloth (sturdy disposable paper cleaning cloth in the UK)in a small zip-lock bag (silicone now). I dampen it, put it in the silicone bag, pop it in my daily carry bag. At night take it out, wash it and let it dry, then dampen it and bring it the next day. Uses: any little mess, clean hands, blot stains, compression for cuts, wipe sweat, tear to smaller pieces for a wrap around bandage. During the day in the bathroom you can always rinse and clean it and stick it back in the little bag. They last for days.
Great tip!
I absolutely love your videos, Laurie! Keep doing what your doing! Your tips are invaluable. My husband and myself are taking 4 major trips a year, and we generally check luggage because of the length of our trips, but I still find your videos inspirational! ❤
I am so glad! Have such great trips. It's a gift that y'all can do that together.
I have a black packable down 3/4 length, hooded jacket. Very lightweight and folds into it's own small carrying case. What's great about it is that it's water resistant and will keep me warm from early fall to winter! Makes for a great travel piece especially if you're going to a warm weather vacation spot in winter. Wear it over lightweight layers to the airport and way before landing in Aruba, fold it up and tuck it into your underseat bag!
Where did you get this jacket?
Where please?
Oh dear God stripes terrify me! One of my first few international trips was a cruise out of Italy too monstrous bags packed full of stuff I really truly did not need rolling across Italian cobblestones and upstairs was hilarious! I’m going to have to watch this video a couple times and take notes and buy those boots for my London trip in November 😻
Love your videos! Thanks so much. Two things I feel a bit differently about. First, I know it’s not a “beauty contest” (Haha), but we take a LOT of photos. These memories live on , so I’d rather not look too dowdy. LOL Plus, I often use the outfits to help me navigate my photos to figure out what happened on what day.
Secondly, I tend to like bringing a scarf. You mentioned not bringing the turtleneck. A scarf fills in there to cover the neck. I also use the scarf as a thin layer when it’s just a little cool in a restaurant. Not to mention using as a typical scarf for warmth with your coat. Just some thoughts from a fellow world-traveler! Thanks again.
I love knowing all the thoughts! Yes like I said I want to look pulled together and feel like I’m cute lol. I get it.
I think scarves are easy to pack and add warmth and a little pop of color to dress up your outfits. Plus scarves can help tie different color schemes together. Definitely always pack a scarf.
I love hearing what passengers think about them.
Always pack a small umbrella for Europe. If you need to hand wash anything (underwear for example) take laundry sheets. I also seem to have lots of tops with stripes but they always look smart.
So smart!
My strategy is to NOT pack an umbrella and buy one if needed! You can get a cheap one - 5 euros - if it rains and then "donate" it when you're done with it. (There are always street people who wouldn't turn down a gift of an umbrella.) I try not to carry "just in case" items that I can buy at the destination.
Being British, my strategy is to take an umbrella on all my travels around the world! I have a small lightweight umbrella that fits into even a small handbag or large coat pocket. Far better to go equipped than find yourself caught in a downpour and getting soaked whilst you try to locate an umbrella seller...
@@cherylphilipsz3835 and some are micro sized
I used to take an umbrella but found it cumbersome getting on/off public transit. So I do as Laurie showed in the video and take a very thin hooded rain jacket. I got one from Columbia that folds up into its own pocket and I keep it in my daypack when sightseeing. Yes, it has a cinch on the hood in case it’s windy. It’s also a great windbreaker when it would be impossible to use an umbrella.
I found your channel today. I am planning a solo trip to Paris this Fall. I am a light packer, but have never taken only a carry-on. I am definitely getting the striped shirt on Amazon. 😁
Definitely Paris in fall is doable with carryon only. I went for 10 days last November and had room for cashmere, hat, umbrella, scarf, and everything I needed in just a carryon roller bag. You got this!
EEEK! How beautiful!
I love my joggers and a sweatshirt for changing into at the end of the day, after exploring the city. I visited my daughter in NYC and I didn’t want to wear my clothes that I wore around the city, on the bus, on the train, etc. in the hotel/her apartment. I didn’t wear my shoes into her apartment and changed into slippers. Who knows what you’re sitting on or walking through while exploring?
I like the ribbed tanks from the Jockey outlet as base layers. Also work great as a pyjama top when travelling.
Ooh, I bet they do not cling to outer layers either.
I agree a cardigan is not the best choice; I packed one for a 10 day springtime UK trip, wore it every day for warmth. BUT! It was cocoon-shaped and oversized so it fought with my backpack straps, was hard to tie around my waist, had useless pockets--low, wide, and flimsy. . .Should've packed two light pullovers and a crossbody bag for small items--all three of those would take up that same space. Around day 8 I said, "When I get home, I never want to see this sweater again!"
Ha! I hear ya.
Your guidance is greatly appreciated. Ive always checked a bag when going to Italy and have decided its time to consider carry on only. My favorite travel shoes are Arcopédico! Light weight and comfortable! The sneakers are washable and the boots can be folded small and look great with pants or skirts/dresses. And i always travel with at least one scarf.
Thanks for watching these outfit ideas video. Let me know if you strategized for a carry-on for your next trip.
Headed to Germany this year and Ireland next year, both trips for 7+ days each. This video was perfect timing!
I went to Ireland in January...don't take leather shoes if you go in winter. They won't keep you warm.
Have fun! It will be amazing!
I'm pretty good at packing outfits where I can re-wear the pants and mix with different tops, but always puzzle over what shoes to take (my feet are fussy). I laughed when you said "theatuh"!
Love that!
Great packing tips Laurie! I'm struggling with packing for Scotland and the Loire Valley in the fall ~ potential cool and warm weather! I'm debating about taking either merino wool and/or cashmere as well as a few 3/4 sleeve T's. The hubs and I have successfully traveled with carry-on luggage for years!
Those sound like a good plan to me for outfits!
I did that same trip last September. Started in London, took the train to Edinburgh, flew to Dublin, flew to Nantes, then took a train to Amboise in the Loire Valley. (From there we went to Northern France and Belgium before flying home from Paris.) It was a total of 3-1/2 weeks and I did it all in a carry-on plus a backpack.
Your trip sounds awesome! We’ll spend a few nights in Bedfordshire, England before driving to Scotland for 1.5 weeks. Then on to Tours, St Malo, Honfleur & Giverny. Giverny is the perfect last night’s stay because it’s only an hour’s drive to CDG.
@@stephanievacek7469 Oh gosh, I wish we could chat! I'm going to Italy in a few weeks, and I'll end my trip with four days in France (I got a great deal on a flight home from CDG.) I DON'T want to spend four days in Paris, and I've considered going to Giverny. Just trying to figure out the logistics of getting there from CDG - I'll be flying in from Milan. Oh, and between London and Edinburgh is a quaint little seaside village called Seaham where you can pick up some of the best seaglass in the world. We did that last year, and it was the best thing I did on my entire trip.
Take the train from CDG to Giverny.
This was wonderful!! I love that you find us affordable finds. I'm always consulting your videos for clothes especially. Thank you again!!
If you're going to take a curling iron overseas frequently, pickup a dual voltage one so you won't need an adapter. In cool/cold weather travel I always take a scarf (love the super thin Ovcio cashmere ones!) to keep my neck warm . And for pants, dark jeans (black, blue, or grey) only as they can often pass for trousers. Love all the stripes!!
Thanks for the tips! Yes, that is what @loveandlondon suggested.
I just looked those up online and see Ovcio has two types of cashmere scarfs. Do you mean the ones they label “featherweight “ or the more traditional scarf with fringe ends? They come in so many beautiful colors! Thank you!
Yes, the "featherweight" ones. Packs down to almost nothing. Pricey, but I think they're worth it.
Thank you Sharon. I will give thought to which color to get since they are $$$. I am torn between two of them at the moment. Happy travels to you
@@angelacastagna3824 I have several because I love them☺️
I finally bought that dsw umbrella you suggested for my last Disney trip and it was perfect for those afternoon rain storms. Thank you.
Wonderful news!
I am a pet sitter in the S.F. Bay Area. Even in summer, it can get quite chilly at night or early morning. I never know when I am going to need to walk a dog. Plus I have to move from household to household, so I carry everything in a weekender bag, no matter how long the stay. Of course, I almost always have access to laundry machines and the pet(s) don’t care how fashionable I am. That being said, if I happen to be sitting for a friend for mine, I might stay a few days afterwards and may need clothes to eat out in or to do visiting or outdoor activities. So I have basically a capsule wardrobe 24/7. No matter where I go, I always take a hoodie of one sort or another. I have found that rather than take a separate heavy coat, I take a nice windbreaker with a foldable, cinch-able hood and a scarf. Wearing the windbreaker with the hoodie and scarf keeps me warm when it gets chilly. In the winter, I swap out the cotton hoodie with a fleece hoodie that has a semi-fuzzy material. Layering that with my windbreaker and scarf keeps me toasty to the point that I frequently can unzip the windbreaker after warming up. I also wear the fuzzy hoodie inside when I get chilly and it’s comfy and I wear the scar to jazz up a t-shirt or other plain shirt. The friend I sit for is taking me on a dream cruise to Spain, Portugal, Ireland, England (Liverpool - big Beatle fans), and Iceland. Using this same strategy, I will take cashmere or wool rather than my fuzzy hoodie, but will be able to use layering to get from sunny Spain to chilly Iceland, even in July. I will also pack a couple of scarves to jazz up tees and other plain tops, so I can re-wear the tops without looking like I’m rewearing anything.
Fantastic travel outfit ideas!
Hi Laurie, I love your videos! I like the way you explore options so thoroughly. I have travelled a lot and I always bring a sarong. It is multi purpose. It will keep you warmer, shade you from the sun, you can make it into a bag, it can be an extra layer on the plane, and save your hair in a light drizzle of rain. So while it’s not a scarf, it can be one and many other things too. Please keep posting your fab videos ❤❤❤
True/great points. I love hearing all the thoughts.
Thanks!
Oh my goodness! Thank you!!
In Scotland and Ireland in April, I packed a Goretex shell coat. Very packable. Then layers!
Also a puff jacket that is very packable too😊❤
@@lkuypers3680I'm looking for a cheap packable puff coat at the moment but not much luck
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Laurie....please give more visual outfits examples like how many ways you can wear these peices you are bringing...sometimes I have a hard time following you verbally... but I am still a loyal follower😮😅
Is it because I talk too fast? You could wear blue denim with a red cashmere sweater, the striped t-shirt, the black t-shirt, the green jacket, and the wide striped sweater. With black denim, you can wear it with all of the above and maybe 2 more of your own choosing.
Hi Laurie, Love your videos. I'm 73 and maybe have unpopular opinions. I'm short with short legs and wide feet. I like to bring a few dresses that I wear with leggings. I also bring the jeans from Betabrand that look nice but feel almost like pajamas and make my legs look less stubby. I have one black dress that I always bring. I don't use scarves (they hang unflatteringly down to my feet ) lol except small ones as accessories. I wear a cardigan and my Easy Spirit shoes, one a ballet slipper that packs beautifully.. I use a cane that always gets attention because it has a gold handle. Aloha
But these are great tips that have helped you. Thanks for sharing because many people are like you when traveling.
Hi Laurie, I used your packing strategies for my recent trip to the UK and the Netherlands. I praise you for your strategies but I want to comment that even if we are well prepared, travel right now is so hard and the fun has been sucked right out of it. . I took the one carry on suitcase and a small soft bag for under the seat. I was continually made to check my cabin bag. Even flying business class did not prevent this from happening. The airline lost my luggage twice, when I first arrived in The Netherlands and when I returned home. I was initially without my warm clothes (in my cabin bag which I was made to check in) for 3 days. It was cold and raining and a miserable start to the vacation. Not to mention not one penny of compensation for the loss of my gear. I have been an avid traveler all my life. I am re thinking that as I don’t enjoy being treated like a criminal, with overkill security everywhere and the crowds of people are too much. I am going to be giving any unnecessary European travel a wide berth and I would suggest to others considering traveling to Europe and the UK to do the same.
Oh yes it can be awful. It’s so frustrating.
@@gloriagreen1123 I wish we could do that too. How wonderful, Cruising is the last bastion of comfort travelling. Long story I can’t cruise for medical reasons. I wish you a Bon Voyage.
Europe, esp Italy is so Over touristed you can barely see what you came to see. As world weather warms even off season is mobbed.
I'm glad I saw a much of Europe 10 years ago because it's definitely work now
@@denisegehrand9938 And yet I still would go tomorrow if I could.
Stripes are a timeless classic. They always remind me of great quality menswear, so wearing a well-cut cotton striped button down shirt makes me feel the outfit is kind of elevated, yet subdued enough to not stand out. I tend to try to gently blend in with a crowd vs stand out. Floral prints styles/color combos change rapidily, but stripes have staying power.
I too agree that they are a classic pattern for travel outfits.
Great tip on the cardigans. I live in Europe and it’s never ever cardigan weather here. You can’t wear it without a jacket because it’s either too cold or raining. Unless you’re indoors. A turtle neck is better.
Good to know!
So many great comments, I'm surprised no one has mentioned this.....
I am often very hot (sweating) then very cold throughout the airport journey. Security- very hot, followed by the mile long jaunt to the gate area where I am also warm. As a result, I now wear a wicking white, or neutral T shirt that can easily wash out in the first hotel sink. Since it will easily dry, I will have it to wear again during the trip and on the return journey home. If we are traveling to a hot climate (think Italy) I will have at least 3 of these T shirts. Like Laurie, I have a second layer to add on as I sit at the gate, and during the flight. For the freezing overnight flight, I usually wear my light down coat (thin). We like to travel in April/ May or Sept/ Oct so often the coat is needed during other parts of the trip. I have it tied around suitcase handles when necessary prior to wearing on the flight.
It is so hard to pack a coat when it’s 100° here in Houston. Thanks for sharing-great tip
I only pack cardigan sweaters because they go on and come off so easily, plus you can tie the sleeves around your waste instead of holding on your arms
I love hearing everyone’s thoughts on this.
Unbound Merino Wool is very good for travel. It keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer time. You can mix and match. You don't sweat in Merino Wool
Also you don't have wash Merino Wool after every wearing.
So good for travel outfits!
Lots of companies have beautiful merino wool items now!
I am addicted to your videos!!! Thank you for all of your help!
I'm so glad!
Nice video Laurie. We have a TravelPro walkabout international carry-on, size 21” x 15” x 7.5”. This meets the international requirement for European airlines like Lufthansa, Condor, Aer Lingus, Ryan Air, British Airway and Iceland Air. But, this means you have to take your ideas and make them even smaller to fit in this type suitcase. The bag is also a perfect size for seniors where a larger bag gets heavy and also does not meet some European airlines requirements. This means you do need the capacity to wash your clothes on your trip. The downsize to this suitcase is fitting more than one pair of shoes. If you plan on outside activities in Europe, Eddie Bauer brand is perfect for lightweight packable jackets and wonderful, lightweight pants. I wore their pants in Iceland with or without leggings underneath. Their pants tend to be dirt resistant, lightweight and slightly water resistant also. I have a couple more stylish zip up, lightweight “sweatshirts” that are either gray, blue, black that I will use for layering depending on what color scheme I packed. Enjoy your fly away.
Thanks for your thoughts!
I was just in Italy on a hiking trip. The weather dropped from sunny, high 80s to rainy and low 60s in one day. I was glad I had packed my Winter Silks base layer. I wore it under my hiking shirt and was warm enough without overheating. It only weighs 3 oz and rolls up very small and wicks the moisture. I also used a fold up windbreaker over those two layers which is water resistant. We hiked up to a village in wind and rain and I was completely dry.
Yes!! We were there. It was freezing the next morning in Garda.
A few years ago I planned a trip for 6 women. 16 nights traveling from the US to France we traveled by plane, train, bus and small SUV. I told the group we can only take a carry on and a large purse. They thought I was crazy but we did it. Especially since traveling from Paris to Nice then Lourdes then Bordeaux then back to Paris by train. My mom's from France and her favorite outfits are the striped. We found a few pieces for her at this awesome little shop. Best trip ever and most challenging pack ever😂🤣 (we did plan a laundry day half way threw the trip)
I love a good challenge. Whew 16 nights would be hard for me! So fun I bet!
Thank you Laurie for all your travel ideas and hacks!!!! I have learned so much from you!!! I enjoy watching your channel.
I'm so glad!
Hahaha "think that I look cute" I love it. Thats' me too!
I like to take a scarf as the item that brings all the outfits together. If it doesn't go with the scarf it can't go.
Thanks!
I do take a scarf when I travel even to southern Europe in the cooler months. We were in Italy and Malta in March. It was windy, especially in Malta. I wrapped it around my neck and knotted it, and if you want to blend in with the European women, that's the way to do it. Also, I cannot wear stripes--I'm only 5'3" and not a size 10. In the summer months, skirts are much cooler than jeans. I pack one skirt that can be worn with several tops and one dress that can be casual or dressed up. On a cruise, I take my mother of the groom dress (sorry, I paid a lot of money for it and need to get many wearings from it). I can fold it or even roll or wad it up, and it doesn't wrinkle. So, I might not ever be able to travel with just a carry on for a two-three week cruise. Thanks for the video, I learn a lot from your tips!
I love hearing all the thoughts! Thanks!
Those little boot cut jeans are SO flattering on you! And so modern - takes your outfit to a whole other level! Also I think navy and black look great together- also really modern💜
I have never owned boot cut-I like this style too. And the brand for any jean.
Going to Europe in March, will definitely use your suggestions! Thank you! I'm sure it will definitely be colder and wetter!
Wonderful! Enjoy!
Hi Laurie
I love reading all of your different blogs and am trying to put my suitcase together for a trip to Greece in October or November! I have most all of my clothes laid out and basically I now have to minimize what I will need to take !
The other thing is that we have a lot of things we want to take for family and friends!
We are really going to have to pay attention to the airlines before buying our tickets to see whether we have to pay for checked baggage and if so , how much !
My friend will be traveling across the pond… i forwarded this vital info to her… love all of your tips👍👏✈️
Wonderful!
Thank you for the great advice. I was fortunate to travel from Virginia, USA to Spain close to 20 years ago. I researched the library to learn what to pack in one carry-on and received many of your valuable tips. Though I packed a light wind breaker/rain jacket, it turned out to be insufficient because Spain was having an unusual chilly and wet April. I sure hope to visit Europe again.❤
I hope to visit Spain again soon too!
Love your channel. Would you be willing to give us a better look inside your coat that has backpack straps? I’d like to “add” straps to my existing coat, but would like to see up close how/where it attaches
Hi, the links to the jacket are in the first comment and in the description paragraph.
Love ur tips. I do lightweight long rain jacket with hood and a velour thermal zip up for to wear underneath if cold. I never wear stripes, always a black shirt , plus 3 other shirts. 3 pants one being jeans. Bottom and tops coordinate that every top can be worn with every bottom and vice versa. I use scarfs and jewelry to dress up outfits. I look for scarfs or jewelry souvenirs that I can use to change up my look.
I live in the UK & my parents live in Norway. Last time i went i left a pair of jeans, a couple of long sleeved tops, a t shirt, nightie. Going again soon. Planning to leave a sweater & a couple of more t-shirts. Leaving clothes with family members you visit often is a good tip.
Yes, those sound like smart choices!
Thanks for your tips. I would pack neutral color dress which it can be use in late summer or early fall; if it is cold I could wear warm pantyhose, nice warm wool spaghetti top, the dress and use jacket, scarf.
Ooh I have a neutral dress-thanks!
16:21 I love that you said that! Buying a whole new wardrobe every single time your going on vacation is not necessary! Having a Capsule Wardrobe is the way to go when traveling 😍 Less stress & ready to explore... let's go! 🎉😅 😉
Let's go...but be comfortable too.
I knew the baggage handlers throw the luggage around - but saw a recent tiktok where they were particularly rough handling the cases - and I was thinking about you with carry on only !
Yep don't mess with the best cause the best don't mess!
I live in South Africa and was going on a flight to Namibia . We had a long wait in Johannesburg and my friend and l had both had our booked-in .luggage broken into, Now l always have my case plastic wrapped, it gives me peace of mind.
For me, I pack a colorful scarf in personal item for plane 1) in case there are unpleasant smells I put it next to my nose 2) seconds as a mask in a pinch 3) helps if cold in the air 4) helps if luggage is lost or just to extend my outfits 5) Europe luvs it's scarves, I blend in more 7) a little extra when mornings are cold and afternoons are warm.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! ey What about packing bras, underpants, socks? They take up room too.